KANGAROO  HUNTERS 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

PRESENTED  BY 

PROF.  CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 
MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOFOID 


V 


I 


He  faced  round,  and  with  Ms  forefeet — his  arms  I  should  say — he  seized 
me,  and  gave  me  a  heavy  fall." 


THE 


KANGAROO  HUNTERS; 


OB, 


ADVENTURES  IN  THE  BUSH. 


BY  ANNE  BOWMAN, 

AUTHOR  OF  "ESPERANZA,"  "THE  CASTAWAYS."  "THE  TOUNO 
ETC.,  ETC. 


Light  and  limber,  upwards  driven, 

On  the  hoar  crag  quivering ; 
Or  through  gorges  thunder-riven, 

Leaps  she  with  her  airy  spring ! 
But  behind  her  still,  the  foe  — 
Near,  and  near  the  deadly  bow!" 

SCHILLER,  translated  by  Snliotr, 


PHILADELPHIA: 
PORTER    &    COATES, 


6737 


PREFACE. 


THE  rapid  spread  of  education  creates  a  continual 
demand  for  new  books,  of  a  character  to  gratify  the 
taste  of  the  young,  and  at  the  same  time  to  satisfy  the 
scruples  of  their  instructors.  The  restless,  inquiring 
spirit  of  youth  craves,  from  its  first  development,  food 
for  the  imagination,  and  even  the  simplest  nursery 
rhymes  owe  their  principal  charm  to  their  wonderful 
improbability.  To  these  succeed  the  ever-interesting 
tales  of  Fairies  and  Enchanters  ;  and  the  ardent  boy 
only  forsakes  Ali  Baba  and  Sindbad  for  the  familiar  and 
lifelike  fictions  of  "  Robinson  Crusoe,"  and  the  hundred 
pleasant  tales  on  the  "  Robinson  Crusoe  "  model  which 
have  succeeded  that  popular  romance. 

It  is  the  nature  of  man  to  soar  above  the  common 
prose  of  every-day  life  in  his  recreations ;  from  the 
weary  school-boy,  who  relieves  his  mind,  after  arith- 
metical calculations  and  pages  of  syntax,  by  fanciful  ad- 
ventures amidst  scenes  of  novelty  and  peril,  and  returns 
to  his  labors  refreshed,  to  the  over-tasked  man  of  study 
or  science,  who  wades  through  his  days  and  nights  of 
toil,  cheered  by  the  prospect  of  a  holiday  of  voyaging 
or  travelling  over  new  scenes. 

<v) 

M312310 


PREFACE. 

This  spirit  of  inquiry  has  usually  the  happiest  in- 
fluence on  the  character  of  the  young  and  old,  and 
leads  them  — 

"  To  know 

The  works  of  God,  thereby  to  glorify 
The  great  Work-Master." 

In  this  belief,  we  are  encouraged  to  continue  to  sup- 
ply the  young  with  books  which  do  not  profess  to  be 
true,  though  they  are  composed  of  truths.  They  are 
doubtless  romantic,  but  cannot  mislead  the  judgment  or 
corrupt  the  taste ;  their  aim  being  to  describe  the  mar- 
vellous works  of  creation,  and  to  lead  the  devout  mind 
to  say  with  the  divine  poet,  — 

"  Great  are  thy  works,  Jehovah,  infinite 
Thy  power ;  what  thought  can  measure  thee,  or  tongue 
Eelate  thee  ?  " 

A.  B. 

RICHMOND,  October,  1858, 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

The  Rector  and  the  Soldier.  —  The  Mayburn  Family.  —  A  Mission 
to  India.  —  The  Orphans  of  Wendon.  —  Ruth  the  Unlucky.  — 
Jack's  Project.  —  The  Addition  to  the  Mayburn  Establishment 

page  1-16 

CHAPTER    II. 

Departure  from  Wendon. — Embarkation  in  the  Amoor.  —  Ruth's 
Adventures  in  London.  —  The  Deverell  Family.  —  The  Pleasures 
of  the  Voyage.  — •  Tropical  Wonders.  —  The  Flying-fish.  —  The 
Stormy  Petrel.  —  The  Albatross.  —  Deverell's  Plans.  —  The  Indian 
Ocean.— A  Storm 17-31 


CHAPTER    III. 

Melbourne.  —  The  Squatters.  —  The  Two  Convicts.  —  A  Painful 
Separation. —  The  Golden  Fairy.  —  Ruth's  Misfortunes.  —  A  Noc- 
turnal Alarm.  —Ruth's  Confession.  —The  Ship  on  Fire  .  32-44 


CHAPTER    IV. 

Insubordination  of  the  Sailors.  —  Rapid  Progress  of  the  Fire.  — 
The  Boats  lowered.  —  Ruth's  Prize. —  A  Man  Saved. —  Black 
Peter.  —  The  Adventure  of  a  Reprobate  Crew.  —  A  Dangerous 
Comrade .  45-57 


CHAPTER    V. 

Afloat  on  an  Unknown  Sea.  —  The  Insubordinate  Sailor.  —  The 
Coral  Reefs.  —  An  Island  in  view.  —  The  Perilous  Landing.  — 
Peter's  Rebellion.  —  The  First  Night  on  Shore.  —  Ruth  among 
the  Crockery.  —  A  Valuable  Prize.  —  The  March  from  the  First 

Encampment 58-71 

(vii) 


fill  CONTENTS. 

CHAP  TER    VI. 

A  Pleasant  Resting-place.  —  The  Turtle.  —  A  Knavish  Trick.  — • 
Destitution.  —  An  Exploring  Expedition.  —  Lake  Scenery.  —  A 
Wrecked  Vessel.  —  Strange  Footsteps.  —  A  Prudent  Retreat.  — 
Return  of  the  Explorers 72-84 

CHAPTER    VII. 

The  Results  of  the  Expedition.  —  The  Long  Vacation.  —  Removed 
from  the  Landing-place.  —  Birds  and  their  Nests.  —  Fishing.  — 
Tapping  a  Cask  of  Potatoes.  —  Tent-making.  —  The  Shell  Spades. 
—  Digging  a  Tank,  —  A  Grand  Attempt  at  Boat-building  85-97 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

The  Launch  of  the  Boat  — An  Alarming  Catastrophe.  —  Disap- 
pointed Hopes.  —  Jack's  Perseverance.  —  A  Peep  at  the  Old  En- 
campment. —  Black  Peter  again.  —  The  Loss  of  the  Boat.  — 
Canoe-building.  —  The  Luggage-van 98-111 

CHAPTER    IX. 

The  Foray.  —  Young  Potatoes.  —  More  Intruders.  —  Ruth's  Intro- 
duction to  the  Savages.  —  The  Sailing  of  the  Fleet.  —  The  Desert 
Shore.  —  The  Giant  Ant-hill.  —  Once  more  at  Sea.  —  A  Storm, 
and  the  Loss  of  the  Catamaran 112-127 

CHAPTER    X. 

A  Total  Wreck.  —  An  Unknown  Coast.  —  The  Green  Ante.  —  The 
White  Cockatoo.  —  Waifs.  —  The  Gourd  Tree.  —  The  Fresh- 
water Rivulet.  —  A  River  Voyage  Projected  ....  128-142 

• 

CHAPTER    XI. 

The  Voyage  up  the  River.  —  The  Way  to  China.  —  The  Note  of  a 
Strange  Bird.  —  A  Hasty  Flight.  —  A  Tropical  Storm.  —  The  Loss 
of  the  Canoes.  —  The  Oave  of  the  Bats.  —  A  Toilsome  Pilgrim- 


age 


143-156 


CHAPTER     XII. 


Alligators.  —  The  Giant's  Staircase.  —  Access  to  a  New  Region.  — 
The  Pheasant  Cuckoo.  —  Wild  Oats.  —  The  Unequal  Contest.  — 
The  First  Kangaroo.  —  Scenes  of  Arcadia.  —  A  Hint  at  Cannibal- 
ism. —  The  Cockatoo  Watch.  —  The  Enemy  put  to  Flight  157-172 


CONTENTS.  DC 


C  H  A  r   I  E  R     XIII. 

Rope-making;.  —  The  Cavern  of  Illustrations.  —  Ruth  at  the  Water- 
pools. —  Victualling  the  Fortress. — The  Blockade.  —  Assault  and 
Battery.  —  Bloodshed.  —  The  close  Siege.  —  Prospect  of  Famine 

173-186 


CHAPTER    XIV, 

Rambles  through  the  Caves.  —  Fairy  Bower.  —  A  Rough  Path  to 
Freedom.  —  Preparations  for  Flight.  —  The  Use  of  the  Rifle.  — 
A  Case  of  Conscience.  —  Departure.  —  Travelling  among  the 
Bogs.  —  A  View  of  the  River.  —  Making  an  Axe.  —  A  New  Plant 

187-202 


CHAPTER    XV. 

The  Tea-Shrub.  —  Another  Canoe.  —  A  Skirmish  with  the  Natives. 
—  Wounded  Heroes.  —  An  Attempt  at  Voyaging.  —  A  Field  of 
Battle.  —  The  Widowed  Jin.  —  Wilkins's  Sorrows.  —  Baldabella 
in  Society.  —  The  Voyage  resumed  ........  203-216 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

The  Mother  and  Child.  —  The  Interior  of  the  Country,  —  Another 
Cataract.  —  The  Pilgrim  Troop.  —  The  Difficult  Ascent.  —  The 
Frilled  Lizard.  —  The  Mountain-range,  —  The  Kangaroo-chase. 
The  Pass  of  Erin 217-228 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

The  Dangerous  Pass.  —  The  Coupled  Travellers.  —  The  Mountain 
Labyrinth.  —  The  Emancipation  of  Ruth's  Chickens,  —  A  Com- 
bat a  Voutrance.  —  The  Ornithorhyncus.  —  The  Forest  in  the 
Mountains.  —  Singing  Birds.  —  The  Laughing  Jackass  .  229-241 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

The  Tunnel  through  the  Mountains.  —  The  Chase  of  the  Emu.  — 
An  Encounter  with  the  Natives.  —  The  Rescue  of  Baldabella  and 
her  Child.  —  Making  a  Bridge.  —  Canoes  Again.  —  The  Fishing 
of  Baldabella 242  254 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

A  Cache.  —  The  Black  Forest.  —  A  Site  for  the  Hut.  —  The  Eagles. 
—  Gerald's  Accident.  —  A  Subterranean  Grotto.  —  The  Pitcher 
Plant.  —  A  Potato  Ground.  —  The  Fig-tree.  —  Australian  Jum- 
bles  The  Hungry  Guest 255-268 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    XX. 

The  Reservoir.  —  The  Ruins.  —  The  Native  Companion.  —  The 
Employments  of  Prison  Life.  —  The  Unlucky  Chase.  —  Jack's 
Tale  of  Trouble.  —  Black  Peter's  Temptations.  —  The  Release  of 
the  Eagle.  —  The  Rescue  Party 269-280 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

The  Approach  to  the  Prison.  —  Baldabella's  Stratagem.  —  The 
Release  of  the  Captive.  —  Wilkins's  Tale  of  Trials.  —  A  Well.  — 
The  Potato  Crop.  —  The  Flying  Opossum.  —  The  Salt  Plant.  — 
Preparations  for  a  Siege 281-292 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

Peter's  last  Stratagem.  —  Firing  the  Fortress.  —  The  Watch-tower. 
—The  Welcome  Rain.  —  The  close  Siege.  —  The  Conflict.  —  The 
Defeat  of  Peter.  —  The  Fortress  abandoned.  —  Once  more  on  the 
Road.  —  Resting  in  the  Wilds 293-305 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

A  Bark  Sledge.  —  The  Friendly  Tribe.  —  The  Wild  Melon.  —  A 
Nocturnal  Alarm.  — The  Wombats.  —  The  Bivouac  on  the  Heath. 
—  The  Savages  again.  —  Away  to  the  South  ....  306-317 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 

The  Dry  Wilderness.  —  Despair.  —  The  Coming-down  of  the  Wa- 
ters. —  The  Discomfited  Savages.  —  Hunger  and  Thirst. — The 
Footsteps  in  the  Mud.  —A  Pond.  —  The  Talegalla  and  its  Nest. 
—  The  Valley  of  Promise.  —  The  River  to  the  South .  .  318-330 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

Boat-building  again.  —  Unlucky  Ruth.— The  Woods  on  Fire.— 
Dangers  on  Land  and  Water.  —  The  Wounded  Girl.  —  A  Home 
among  the  Mountains.  —  The  Bottle-tree.  —  The  Bee-hunt. — 
Bean-coffee.  —  The  Lost  Hunters 331-343 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 

The  Search  for  the  Lost.  —  The  Fig-tree.  —  Signals.  —  The  Wander- 
ers found.  —  The  Wounded  Boy.  —  The  Sufferings  of  the  Thirsty.  — 
The  Rescue  and  Return.  —  The  Kangaroo  Conflict.  —  A  strange 
Meeting.  —  The  Bush-rangers.  —  The  miraculous  Escape  344-355 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 

^he  Eagle's  Eyrie.  —  The  Chaotic  Solitude  disturbed.  —  The  Vol- 
untary Prisoners.  —  The  Report  of  the  Spy.  — The  Foe  at  the 
Gates.  —  A  Traitor  in  the  Camp.  —  Dispersion  of  the  Invaders. — 
A  lucky  Escape.  —  A  pleasant  Voyage 356-369 

CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

The  Cookery  disturbed.  —  A  Signal-rocket.  —  A  Surprise  and  Cap- 
ture. —  Pillage.  —  The  Taste  of  Gunpowder.  —  A  Fatal  Explo- 
sion. —  The  Contrivances  of  Necessity.  —  A  Region  of  Famine.  — 
Renewed  Hopes.- — An  Unfair  Advantage 370-383 

CHAPTER    XXIX. 

A  Seasonable  Supply.  —  Visitoi-s  in  the  Night.  —  Captivity.  —  An 
Old  Acquaintance.  —  The  Ranger's  Settlement.  —  An  Embassy  to 
Daisy  Grange. — Jack  in  a  New  Office.  —  The  Grateful  Native 
Woman.  —  Davy's  Compunction.  —  Bush-ranging  Life  .  384-396 


CHAPTER    XXX. 

A  Proposal  of  Marriage.  —  Bill's  Rejection  and  Revenge.  — 
Pocket-picking.  —  Jack's  Return.  —  Black  Peter  again. —  Bush- 
ranging  Merriment.  —  A  Flight  in  the  Dark.  —  An  Erau-chase. 
—  The  disappointed  Hunters.  —  Pursuit.  —  A  Stratagem  397-409 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 

The  Sentinels  in  the  Trees.  —  The  End  of  Bill  the  Convict.  —  The 
Bush-rangers  deceived.  —  A  strange  New  Animal.  —  A  Bloody 
Conflict.  —  The  Mountain-pass.  —  The  Fruit  of  the  Acach'. — 
The  Travellers  in  Custody.  — The  Court  of  Justice  .  .  410-422 


CHAPTER    XXXII. 

Travellers'  Wonders.  —  The  Detective  Force.  —  A  Trap  for  the 
Rangers.  —  The  Skirmish  and  the  Victory.  —  Daisies  in  Austra- 
lia. —  The  Constancy  of  Susan  Raine.  —  The  Trial  and  Sentence 
of  the  Natives.  —  Peter  and  his  Colleagues 423-435 


CHAPTER    XXXIII 

A  Chase  over  the  Mountains.  —  The  Frightful  End  of  the  Bush- 
ranger.—  Ruth's  Opinion.  —  The  Cereopsis.  —  A  Description  of 
the  Colony.— The  Dingo.  —The  Cattle  at  Home.  —  The  Park.— 
The  Arrival  at  Daisy  Grange 436-453 


XII  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    XXXIV. 

The  Comforts  of  Civilization.  —  Susan  Raine.  —  The  Hamlet  and  the 
Church.  —  Plans  for  the  Future.  —  Mrs.  Edward  Deverell.  — The 
Beauties  of  Daisy  Grange 454-463 


THE 


KANGAROO  HUNTERS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

The  Rector  and  the  Soldier.  —  The  Mayburn  Family.  —  A  Mission 
to  India. —The  Orphans  of  Wendon.  — Ruth  the  Unlucky.— 
Jack's  Project.  —  The  Addition  to  the  Mayburn  Establishment. 

"I  AM  a  selfish  creature,  O'Brien,"  said  Mr.  May- 
burn,  the  rector  of  Wendon,  to  his  invalid  friend.  "  I 
cannot  forbear  from  coming  once  more  to  annoy  you 
with  my  lamentations,  and  to  ask  your  counsel,  for  I  am 
most  unhappy.  Every  object  I  behold,  every  word  I 
hear,  recalls  to  my  mind  my  bereavement.  I  cannot 
remain  in  this  place  after  the  loss  of  my  beloved  wife. 
She  was  the  moving  power  of  my  household.  It  was 
she,  in  fact,  who  was  the  pastor  and  director  of  the  par- 
ish, the  skilful  tutor  of  her  children,  the  guide  and  the 
guardian  of  her  weak  and  erring  husband.  Alone,  I 
am  unfit  for  my  responsible  office ;  I  shudder  over  the 
conviction  that  I  am  faithless  to  my  vows;  I  know, 
O'Brien,  that  I  do  not  fulfil  my  duty." 

"  There  is  an  easy  remedy  for  your  distress,  my  good 
friend,"  answered  Captain  O'Brien;  "my  advice  is,  do 
your  duty,  and  be  comforted." 

1  (1) 


2  THE    FRIENDS. 

"It  is  physically  impossible,  O'Brien,"  said  the 
mourner.  "  My  nerves  are  shattered ;  my  health  is 
completely  destroyed.  I  shrink  from  communion  with 
society;  and  though  I  exert  myself  to  give  my  boys 
their  daily  lessons,  I  would  afterwards  gladly  enclose 
myself  in  my  study,  and  live  amongst  my  books." 

"  No  doubt  you  would,"  replied  O'Brien ;  u  but  God 
did  not  send  us  into  this  world  to  vegetate  in  solitude, 
and  bring  forth  no  fruit.  Act,  Mayburn,  I  beseech  you, 
man;  power  comes  with  action,  you  know  well;  and 
whatever  man  has  done,  may  be  done.  Work !  work  ! 
is  the  counsel  of  the  worn-out  dying  soldier  to  him  who 
has  yet  the  labors  of  life  spread  before  him." 

"  But  you  have  no  idea  how  feeble  my  bodily  powers 
are,"  groaned  the  rector. 

"  I  can  form  a  very  tolerable  idea  of  your  strength," 
said  the  captain ;  "  for  the  last  time  I  was  out  I  saw 
you  plunged  up  to  the  knees  in  the  green  marsh,  regard- 
less of  a  cold  north-east  March  wind." 

"I  remember  the  day  well,"  answered  Mr.  Mayburn, 
with  animation,  "  for  I  was  fortunate  enough  to  obtain 
the  eggs  of  the  crested  grebe  in  the  marsh.  You  will 
not  have  forgotten  that  the  preceding  summer  I  got  a 
fine  specimen  of  the  bird." 

ft  Very  well,"  said  his  friend ;  "  now,  if  you  were  able 
thus  to  toil  and  to  endure  to  save  the  eggs  of  a  bird, 
you  may  surely  exert  yourself  still  more  to  save  the 
soul  of  a  Christian.  Go  more  among  your  poor ;  talk 
to  them,  help  them  with  your  knowledge,  and  teach 
them  to  live  happily  and  die  happily.  I  am  not  with- 
out experience  in  such  work,  Mayburn ;  as  long  as  I 
was  able,  I  had  a  little  flock  of  my  own ;  and  in 
secular  matters  at  any  rate,  was  a  sort  of  parish  priest 


INDIA    OR    AUSTRALIA?  3 

among  my  soldiers  I  felt  an  interest  in  the  history 
and  in  the  daily  life  of  every  man  in  my  company,  and 
was  never  more  at  home  than  in  the  nooks  and  corners 
where  my  poor  fellows  dwelt.  It  was  this  pleasant 
and  profitable  work  that  Mrs.  Mayburn  ably  accom- 
plished for  you,  and  I  see  Margaret  is  treading  in  her 
steps ;  go  with  her,  Mayburn,  support  her  in  her  virtu- 
ous course,  and  you  will  discover  that  life  has  still  its 
pleasures  for  you." 

"  Not  here !  not  here !  my  dear  O'Brien,"  answered 
Mr.  Mayburn.  "  Sometimes  I  determine  to  relinquish 
this  parish,  and  accept  one  of  smaller  population,  where 
the  responsibility  would  be  less ;  at  other  moments  T 
am  prompted  to  adopt  an  entirely  opposite  course,  and 
to  make  up  for  my  past  wasted  life  by  devoting  my 
remaining  days  to  missionary  labors  in  distant  lands, 
where  I  might  be  more  stimulated  to  exertion,  in  the 
necessity  of  action.  Give  me  your  advice,  O'Brien,  on 
which  of  these  two  plans  to  decide.  On  the  one  hand, 
I  have  the  temptation  offered  me  to  exchange  for  a 
small  living  on  the  north-eastern  coast,  where  I  should 
meet  with  many  ornithological  novelties ;  on  the  other 
hand,  I  know  I  have  still  sufficient  interest  among  my 
old  friends  to  obtain  the  appointment  to  some  mission 
in  the  colonies.  I  should  prefer  Northern  India  or 
South  Australia,  both  affording  rich  fields  to  the  nat- 
uralist," 

"  A  matter  of  secondary  consideration,"  said  O'Brien, 
smiling.  "  But  wait  a  month  or  two,  my  good  friend ; 
we  must  not  decide  hastily  on  such  an  important  step ; 
and  before  that  time  has  elapsed,  you  will  have  fulfilled 
the  last  pious  offices  for  me.  Do  not  be  agitated,  May- 
burn.  I  know  that  I  am  dying;  these  old  wounds 


4  THE    CHARGE. 

have  slowly,  but  successfully,  undermined  the  fortress  •, 
it  cannot  hold  out  long.  But  be  comforted  ;  I  am  re- 
signed and  calm,  nay,  I  am  happy,  for  I  know  in  whom 
I  trust.  Now,  Mayburn,  to  you  and  to  your  sweet 
daughter  I  must  bequeath  my  wild,  half-taught  boy. 
Give  him  all  the  book-lore  he  can  be  made  to  imbibe ; 
above  all,  Mayburn,  make  him  a  Christian.  To  Mar- 
garet I  intrust  his  physical  education.  I  should  wish 
him  to  be  fitted  to  perform  such  work  in  this  world  as 
it  may  please  God  to  call  him  to.  I  am  thankful  that 
I  must  leave  him  poor,  as  he  will  thus  be  exempt  from 
the  grand  temptation,  and  forced  into  healthy  action. 
May  God  direct  his  labors  to  the  best  and  wisest  end." 

The  words  of  his  dying  friend  had  for  some  time  a 
salutary  influence  over  the  amiable  but  vacillating  May- 
burn.  With  remorse  and  shame  he  looked  on  his  own 
discontent,  and  with  a  brief  gleam  of  energy  he  turned 
to  the  duties  of  his  office  ;  but  long  habits  of  self-indul- 
gence in  literary  pursuits  and  literary  ease  were  not  to 
be  suddenly  overcome  ;  and  when  the  grave  closed 
over  his  faithful  friend  and  wise  counsellor,  O'Brien, 
he  soon  shrunk  back  into  morbid,  solitary  musings,  and 
gradually  sunk  into  his  accustomed  indolence.  But  a 
waking  of  remorse  induced  him  to  write  to  his  old  col- 
lege friend,  the  Bishop  of  *  *  *,  to  pray  that  he  might 
be  allowed  to  resign  his  living,  and  be  appointed  to 
some  distant  mission. 

Mr.  Mayburn,  though  upright  in  principle  and  amia- 
ble in  disposition,  was  yet  unfitted,  from  his  deficiency 
in  firmness,  for  the  responsibilities  of  his  office  ;  but  his 
constitutional  timidity  and  indolence  had  escaped  notice 
during  the  lifetime  of  his  valuable  and  energetic  wife, 
who  had  directed  his  actions  and  concealed  his  feeble 


THE    MAYBURNS.  0 

nature.  But  it  was  the  will  of  God  that  she  should  be 
suddenly  called  from  him ;  and,  stunned  with  his  loss, 
he  abandoned  himself  to  sorrow  and  inaction.  The 
death  of  his  valuable  friend  and  counsellor,  Captain 
O'Brien,  cut  away  the  last  prop  of  the  feeble  man, 
who  was  now  alternately  sunk  in  useless  grief  or 
haunted  with  the  horrors  of  neglected  duties. 

Pious  and  eloquent,  his  people  declared  he  was  an 
angel  in  the  church  ;  but  in  their  humble  dwellings 
his  visits,  like  those  of  aijgels,  "  were  short  and  far 
between."  In  his  family,  it  was  his  pleasure  to  com- 
municate to  his  children  the  rich  treasures  of  learning 
that  he  possessed;  but  the  lessons  of  life,  the  useful 
preparation  for  the  battle  of  the  world,  he  had  not  the 
skill  or  the  energy  to  teach. 

His  daughter,  now  sixteen  years  of  age,  had  been 
ably  instructed  by  her  excellent  mother,  and  possessed 
good  sense  and  prudence  beyond  her  years.  Arthur, 
the  eldest  son,  one  year  younger,  had  benefited  by  his 
mother's  advice  and  example  equally  with  his  sister, 
whom  he  resembled  in  disposition.  His  brother  Hugh, 
not  yet  thirteen  years  old,  was  too  young  to  have  prof- 
ited much  by  instruction,  and  was  more  volatile  than 
Margaret  and  Arthur.  But  the  children  were  all 
frank,  true,  and  conscientious  ;  and  had  yet  escaped 
the  temptations  and  perils  of  the  world. 

Gerald,  the  orphan  son  of  the  faithful  and  attached 
friend  of  Mr.  May  burn,  Captain  O'Brien,  was  the 
most  weighty  charge  of  his  timid  guardian ;  though 
but  twelve  years  old,  he  was  bold,  independent,  and 
forever  in  mischief;  and  hourly  did  Mr.  Mayburn 
groan  under  his  responsibility,  for  he  had  solemnly 
promised  to  fulfil  the  duties  of  a  father  to  the  boy, 
1* 


6  MARGARET    MAYBURN. 

and  he  trembled  to  contemplate  his  incapacity  for  the 
office. 

"  Margaret,"  said  he  to  his  daughter,  "  I  request  that 
you  or  Jenny  will  never  lose  sight  of  that  boy  after  he 
leaves  my  study.  I  am  continually  distracted  by  the 
dread  that  he  should  pull  down  the  old  church  tower 
when  he  is  climbing  to  take  the  nests  of  the  harmless 
daws,  or  that  he  should  have  his  eyes  pecked  out  by 
the  peacocks  at  Moore  Park,  when  he  is  pulling  the 
feathers  from  their  tails." 

"  Do  you  not  think,  papa,"  answered  Margaret,  "  that 
you  are  partly  responsible  for  his  mischievous  follies  ? 
You  have  imbued  him  with  your  ornithological  tastes." 

"  He  has  no  taste,  Margaret,"  replied  her  father  has- 
tily. "  He  has  no  judgment  in  the  science.  He  has 
never  learned  to  distinguish  the  Corvidce  from  the  (70- 
lumUdce  ;  nor  could  he  at  this  moment  tell  you  to 
which  family  the  jackdaw  he  makes  war  with  belongs. 
He  is  negligent  himself,  and,  moreover,  he  allures  my 
son  Hugh  from  his  serious  studies,  to  join  him  in  rash 
and  dangerous  enterprises.  He  is  totally  deficient  in 
the  qualities  of  application  and  perseverance.  I  have 
a  dim  recollection,  Margaret,  of  a  childish  hymn,  writ- 
ten by  the  pious  Dr.  Watts,  who  was  no  great  poet,  but 
was  really  an  observer  of  the  habits  of  the  animal  cre- 
ation. This  hymn  alludes  prettily  to  the  industry  of 
the  bee,  and  if  you  could  prevail  on  Gerald  to  commit 
it  to  memory,  it  might  suggest  reflections  on  his  own 
deficiencies." 

"  Papa,"  said  Margaret  laughing,  "  Gerald  could  re- 
peat '  How  doth  the  little  busy  bee,'  when  he  was  four 
years  old,  and  I  do  not  think  that  a  repetition  of  it  now 
would  make  any  serious  impression  on  him." 


GERALD    O  BRIEN.  7 

"He  has  no  taste  for  the  higher  range  of  poetry," 
said  his  distressed  guardian  ;  "  and  has  too  much  levity 
to  seek  knowledge  in  the  direct  paths.  What  would 
you  think  of  giving  him  to  learn  an  unpretending  poem 
by  Mrs.  Barbauld,  which  describes  the  feathered  tribes 
with  tolerable  accuracy.  It  commences, 

*  Say,  who  the  various  nations  can  declare, 
That  plough,  with  busy  wing,  the  peopled  air ! ' " 

"  Gerald  is  not  lazy,  papa,  he  is  only  thoughtless," 
said  Margaret.  "  Let  us  hope  that  a  few  years  will 
bring  him  more  wisdom ;  then  he  will  learn  to  admire 
Homer,  and  to  distinguish  birds  like  his  good  guar- 
dian." 

Mr.  Mayburn  sighed.  "But  what  shall  I  do  with 
the  boy,"  he  said,  "when  my  duties  summon  me  to 
distant  lands?  I  am  bewildered  with  doubts  of  the 
future.  Will  it  be  right,  Margaret,  to  remove  you  and 
my  promising  boys  from  country,  society,  and  home, 
perhaps  even  from  civilization  ?  " 

"  No,  no,  papa,  you  are  not  fitted  for  a  missionary  to 
savages,"  answered  Margaret,  "you  must  choose  some 
more  suitable  employment.  And  if  you  are  bent  on 
quitting  England,  surely  you  cannot  suppose,  whatever 
may  be  your  destination,  that  we  should  consent  to  be 
separated  from  you." 

"  God  forbid  that  it  should  be  so ! "  exclaimed  the 
father.  "  But  I  cannot  but  feel,  my  child,  that  I  have 
been  selfish  and  negligent.  Give  me  some  consolation 
—  tell  me  that  you  think  I  may  yet  do  some  good  in  a 
strange  land.  I  am  persuaded  that  I  shall  be  better 
able  to  exert  myself  among  complete  heathens  than  I 
am  among  these  cold,  dull,  professed  Christians." 


8  PREPARATIONS. 

"If  you  feel  this  conviction,  papa,"  said  Margaret, 
"  it  is  sufficient.  When  we  earnestly  desire  to  do  right, 
God  always  provides  us  with  work.  We  must  all  try 
to  aid  you.  And  Gerald  is  now  our  brother,  papa ;  he 
must  accompany  us  in  our  wanderings.  The  boys 
anticipate  with  great  delight  the  pleasures  of  a  sea- 
voyage,  and  I  myself,  though  I  regret  to  leave  my  poor 
people,  enjoy  the  idea  of  looking  on  the  wonders  of  the 
world." 

"Then,  Margaret,"  added  Mr.  Mayburn,  "I  must 
trust  you  and  Jenny  to  watch  that  giddy  boy,  Gerald. 
Warn  him  of  the  dangers  that  surround  him.  I 
should  never  survive  if  he  were  to  fall  overboard.  I 
promised  O'Brien  much ;  but,  alas !  I  have  done  little." 

Margaret  engaged  to  use  all  needful  watchfulness, 
though,  she  assured  her  father,  Arthur  would  care  foF 
the  young  boys ;  and  being  now  convinced  that  her 
father's  resolution  to  leave  England  was  earnest  and 
unchangeable,  the  young  girl,  assisted  by  Jenny  Wilson, 
the  old  nurse,  set  about  the  serious  preparations  for  this 
important  change ;  and  when  a  mission  to  a  remote  part 
of  India  was  proposed  to  Mr.  Mayburn,  he  found  the 
whole  of  his  family  as  ready  as  he  was  himself  to  enter 
into  this  new  and  hazardous  undertaking. 

"I  looked  for  nothing  better,  Miss  Marget,  my 
darling,"  said  nurse  Jenny;  "and  my  poor  mistress, 
lying  on  her  death-bed,  saw  it  all  plainly.  Says  she  to 
me,  ' Nurse,'  says  she,  'your  good  master  will  never 
settle  after  I  'm  gone.  He  '11  be  for  shifting  from  this 
place ;  but  mind  this,  nurse,  you  '11  stick  to  my  childer.' 
And  then  and  there  I  said  I  would  never  leave  ye; 
'specially  you,  Miss  Marget ;  where  you  go,  I  must  go, 
and  I  hope  God  will  spare  me  to  nurse  childer  of  yours. 


NURSE    WILSON.  9 

Though  where  you  are  to  meet  with  a  suiting  match 
I  cannot  see,  if  master  will  choose  to  go  and  live 
among  black  savages." 

"  Not  so  bad  as  that,  nurse,"  said  Margaret,  smiling. 
"  I  trust  that  our  lot  may  be  cast  on  a  more  civilized 
spot,  where  we  may  find  many  of  our  own  countrymen 
living  among  the  benighted  people  we  are  sent  to  teach; 
and  even  they,  though  ignorant  and  degraded,  are  not 
absolutely  savage,  neither  are  they  blacks,  my  dear 
nurse." 

"  Well,  my  child,  you  know  best,"  answered  Jenny. 
"But  there's  a  sore  task  laid  out  for  you,  that  will 
have  all  the  work  to  do.  Not  but  what  master  is  a 
grand  hand  at  preaching,  and  can  talk  wonderful,  nows 
and  thens,  to  poor  folks ;  but  he  cannot  get  round  them 
as  you  can.  He  never  seems  to  be  talking  to  them  as 
it  were  face  to  face,  but  all  like  preaching  to  them  out 
of  his  pulpit ;  and  somehow  he  never  gets  nigh  hand  to 
them.  But  it's  God  will,  and,  please  Him,  we  must  all 
do  our  best ;  we  shall  be  missed  here  ;  and  oh,  Miss 
Marget,  what  will  come  of  poor  Ruth  Martin  ?  and  we 
promising  to  take  the  lass  next  month,  and  make  a  good 
servant  of  her.  Here's  Jack,  too;  just  out  of  his  time, 
a  fair  good  workman,  and  a  steady  lad,  and  none  but 
you  and  master  to  look  up  to,  poor  orphans." 

"  Do  not  be  distressed,  nurse,"  replied  Margaret,  "  I 
have  thought  of  all  my  scholars ;  I  have  prepared  a 
list  of  those  I  wish  papa  especially  to  recommend  to 
his  successor ;  and  perhaps  Mrs.  Newton  will  take  Ruth 
on  trial." 

"  She  won't  do  it,  Miss  Marget,"  answered  Jenny. 
"  I  tried  her  before,  and  she  flounces,  and  flames,  and 
says  all  sorts  of  ill  words  again  the  lass,  as  how  she 's 


10  RUTH    AN1>    JACK    MARTIN. 

flappy  and  ragged,  and  knows  nothing;  and  when 
asked  her  what  she  could  expect  from  childer  as  was 
found  crying  over  their  poor  father  and  mother  lying 
dead  under  a  hedge ;  she  said  outright,  she  should 
expect  they  would  turn  out  vagabonds,  like  them  they 
belonged  to.  Yes,  she  said  that ;  after  you  had  given 
the  poor  things  schooling  for  six  years." 

It  was  not  the  least  of  Margaret  Mayburn's  pangs, 
on  leaving  Wendon,  that  she  must  be  compelled  to 
abandon  the  poor  children  of  the  parish,  whom  she  had 
long  taught  and  cared  for;  and  she  sighed  over  the 
incapacity  of  the  rough  orphan  girl  that  she  now  set 
out  with  her  faithful  nurse  to  visit. 

Ruth  and  Jack  Martin  had  been  found  one  cold 
morning  of  winter  in  a  lane  leading  to  the  village  of 
Wendon,  sitting  by  the  side  of  the  hedge,  weeping 
over  the  dead  bodies  of  their  parents,  who  had  perished 
from  famine  and  fever,  exposed  to  the  storm  of  the 
previous  night.  The  children  were  conveyed  to  the 
workhouse,  and  from  their  story,  and  further  inquiries, 
it  was  made  out  that  their  mother  had  left  a  tribe  of 
gipsies  to  marry  a  railway  navvy,  as  the  children  called 
their  father.  He  was  a  reckless,  drunken  profligate; 
and  after  losing  his  arm  from  an  accident  which  origi- 
nated in  his  own  carelessness,  was  dismissed  from  his 
employment,  and  driven  to  wander  a  homeless  vagrant. 
The  children  said  they  had  lived  by  begging,  and  had 
often  been  nearly  starved ;  but  their  mother  would 
never  let  them  steal  or  tell  a  lie,  and  she  had  often 
cried  when  their  father  came  to  their  lodging  very 
drunk,  speaking  very  bad  words,  and  holding  out  silver 
money,  which  their  mother  would  not  touch. 

But  at  last  he  was  seized  with  a  bad  fever  on  the 


THE    ORPHANS.  11 

road,  and,  houseless  and  penniless,  they  crept  under  a 
haystack ;  from  thence  the  children  were  sent  to  the 
roadside  to  beg  from  passengers,  or  to  seek  some  farm- 
house, where  charity  might  bestow  on  them  a  little  milk 
or  a  few  crusts  of  bread ;  but  the  poor  wife  sickened  of 
the.  same  disease  which  was  carrying  off  her  husband, 
and  in  their  desperation  the  wretched  sufferers  dragged 
themselves  to  the  road  which  led  to  the  village,  in  hopes 
of  reaching  it,  and  finding  shelter  and  aid.  But  it  was 
too  late.  In  the  midst  of  the  beating  snow,  and  in  the 
darkness  of  a  winter's  night,  the  man  sank  down  and 
died.  The  wretched  woman  cast  herself  down  beside 
him,  and,  overcome  by  sorrow  and  long  suffering,  did 
not  survive  to  see  the  morning  light. 

The  sympathy  created  by  this  melancholy  event  pro- 
cured many  warm  friends  for  the  orphans.  They  were 
fed  and  clothed,  sent  to  school,  and  carefully  instructed 
in  that  pure  religion  of  which  they  had  formerly  had 
but  vague  notions.  Jack,  the  boy,  who  was  about  eleven 
years  of  age  when  they  were  orphaned,  was  a  thought- 
ful, industrious  lad;  for  three  years  he  made  useful  pro- 
gress at  school,  and  in  the  last  three  years,  under  a  good 
master,  he  had  become  a  skilful  carpenter.  Ruth,  who 
was  two  years  younger  than  her  brother,  had  inferior 
abilities ;  she  was  rough,  boisterous,  and  careless ;  and 
was  ever  the  dunce  of  the  school,  till  at  length  the 
schoolmistress  begged  she  might  be  put  to  something 
else,  for  she  declared  she  made  "  no  hand  at  learning." 
She  was  then  placed  with  an  old  woman,  who  daily 
complained  that  "  the  lass  was  of  no  use ;  she  was  will- 
ing enough ;  but  if  she  was  set  to  wash  the  cups,  she 
broke  them;  and  she  could  not  even  stir  the  fire  but 
she  would  poke  it  out."  At  fifteen  years  old,  Ruth  was 


12  USEFUL    JACK. 

a  strong,  active  girl,  extremely  good-natured,  true,  and 
honest,  fondly  attached  to  her  brother,  and  devoted  to 
her  kind  friends  at  the  rectory;  yet,  certainly,  Ruth 
was  no  favorite  with  the  wives  of  the  neighboring  far- 
mers, who  unanimously  agreed  that  she  must  have 
"  two  left  hands,"  she  was  so  awkward  in  all  her  under- 
takings. Under  these  untoward  circumstances,  it  had 
been  arranged  that  Ruth  should  undergo  an  apprentice- 
ship in  the  rectory  establishment,  to  fit  her  for  house- 
hold service.  This  event  was  looked  forward  to  by  the 
girl  with  great  delight,  and  it  was  with  much  regret  that 
Margaret  set  out  to  announce  to  her  their  plan  of  leav- 
ing Wendon,  which  mus.t  necessarily  extinguish  her 
hopes  of  preferment. 

There  was  still  another  who  would  deeply  feel  their 
loss ;  and  Margaret  was  accompanied  by  her  brothers, 
who  were  anxious  to  see  their  untiring  assistant,  Jack. 
It  was  he  who  gave  his  useful  aid  to  them  in  the  con- 
struction of  bows,  bats,  leaping-bars,  and  all  the  wooden 
appliances  of  school-boy  sports ;  and  above  all  the  peo- 
ple of  the  village,  the  boys  murmured  most  that  they 
must  part  with  Jack. 

They  found  the  industrious  lad  busily  engaged  in 
making  a  new  crutch  for  Nanny,  the  old  woman  with 
whom  the  orphans  lived.  "  You  see,  Master  Hugh," 
said  he,  "  poor  Ruth  happened  to  throw  down  Nanny's 
crutch,  and  then  the  careless  lass  fell  over  it,  and 
snapped  it.  I  reckon  it  had  been  a  bit  of  bad  wood ; 
but  this  is  a  nice  seasoned  stick  I  've  had  laid  by  these 
two  years  for  another  purpose,  and  it  comes  in  nicely ; 
for  Nanny  was  cross,  and  poor  Ruth  was  sadly  put 
about,  and  this  will  set  all  straight." 

At  this  moment,  Ruth,  who  had  been  sent  out  to 


RUTH    THE    UNLUCKY.  13 

milk  Nanny's  cow,  entered  in  woful  plight.  She  had 
neglected  to  tie  Brindle's  legs  properly,  and  the  animal, 
irritated  by  the  teasing  bark  of  an  ill-taught  little  dog, 
had  struggled  to  extricate  itself,  kicked  Ruth  into  the 
mud,  and  the  milk-pail  after  her,  and  then  run  off,  pur- 
sued by  its  tormentor ;  and  the  girl  returned  with  her 
dress  torn  and  dirty,  and  her  milk-pail  empty.  Nanny 
scolded,  Jack  shook  his  head,  Margaret  gently  remon- 
strated with  her  for  her  carelessness,  and,  worst  cut  of 
all,  the  young  gentlemen  laughed  at  her.  Then  Ruth 
fairly  sat  down  and  cried. 

"  Well,  Nanny,"  said  Margaret,  "  you  must  look  over 
Ruth's  fault  this  time,  for  we  have  some  sad  news  for 
you  all.  We  are  going  to  leave  Wendon." 

Jack  threw  down  his  work,  and  Ruth,  forgetting  her 
own  vexation,  held  up  her  hands,  crying  out,  "Not 
without  me,  please,  Miss  Marget.  You  promised  to 
try  and  make  me  good  for  something ;  please  do,  Miss 
Marget,  and  I  '11  pray  God  to  make  me  of  some  use  to 
you." 

"  But,  Ruth,"  said  Hugh,  "  we  are  going  far  away 
from  here,  across  the  wide  sea,  and  among  people  who 
neither  talk,  nor  look,  nor  live  as  we  do." 

"  How  many  legs  have  they,  Master  Hugh  ? "  asked 
the  awe-struck  girl. 

"  Only  two  legs,  and  one  head,  Ruth,"  answered  he, 
laughing ;  "  and  we  feel  pretty  sure  that  they  will  not 
eat  us ;  but,  for  all  that,  I  am  afraid  they  are  a  little 
bit  savage,  if  they  be  roused." 

"  Will  you  be  so  kind  as  to  tell  me,  Mr.  Arthur," 
said  Jack,  "  where  you  may  be  going  really." 

Arthur  then  explained  to  Jack  the  plans  of  Mr.  May- 

2 


14  REGRETS    AT    PARTING. 

burn,  and  assured  him  they  all  felt  a  pang  at  leaving 
Wendon ;  and  especially  they  regretted  the  parting 
from  the  children  they  had  themselves  assisted  to 
teach. 

"  Then  let  us  go  with  you,"  cried  Ruth  vehemently. 
"  Cannot  we  both  work  and  wait  on  you.  If  I  stay 
here  I  shall  be  sure  to  turn  out  a  bad  lass.  Jack, 
honey,  we  '11  not  be  left  behind,  we  will  run  after  Miss 
Marget  and  Mr.  Arthur." 

Jack  was  thoughtful  and  silent,  while  Margaret  said 
to  the  weeping  girl,  —  "  If  we  had  only  been  removing 
to  any  part  of  England,  Ruth,  we  would  have  taken 
you  with  us,  if  it  had  been  possible ;  but  we  dare  not 
propose  such  an  addition  to  the  family  in  a  long  voyage, 
which  will  cost  a  large  sum  of  money  for  each  of  us  ; 
besides  this,  we  are  going  to  a  country  where  youi 
services,  my  poor  girl,  would  be  useless;  for  all  the 
servants  employed  in  cooking,  house-work,  and  wash- 
ing, are  men,  who  bear  the  labor,  in  such  a  hot  climate, 
better  than  women  could." 

"  If  you  please,  Miss  Margaret,"  said  Jack,  eagerly, 
"  I  have  thought  of  something.  Will  you  be  kind 
enough  to  tell  me  the  name  of  the  ship  you  are  to  go 
in,  and  I  will  get  my  master  to  write  me  out  a  good 
testimonial,  and  then  I  will  seek  the  captain,  to  offer 
to  work  for  my  passage  and  for  that  of  poor  Ruth,  if 
you  will  agree  to  try  her ;  for  you  see,  Miss  Margaret, 
we  must  never  be  parted.  And  when  once  we're 
landed,  please  God,  we'll  take  care  to  follow  you 
wherever  you  may  go." 

Margaret  was  deeply  affected  by  the  attachment  of 
the  orphans;  and  though  she  felt  the  charge  of  Ruth 


JACK'S  PROJECT.  15 

would  be  a  burden,  she  promised  to  consult  her  father 
about  the  plan,  and  the  brother  and  sister  were  left  in 
a  state  of  great  anxiety  and  doubt. 

As  they  walked  home,  Margaret  and  Arthur  talked 
of  Jack's  project  till  they  satisfied  themselves  it  was 
really  feasible  ;  and  Arthur  believed  that,  once  landed 
in  India,  the  lad  might  obtain  sufficient  employment  to 
enable  him  to  support  himself  and  his  sister. 

"  Oh,  Jack  will  be  a  capital  fellow  to  take  with  us," 
said  Hugh.  "  I  know  papa  will  consent,  for  he  could 
always  trust  Jack  to  find  the  birds'  nests,  and  bring 
away  the  right  eggs,  as  well  as  if  he  had  gone  himself. 
Then  he  is  such  an  ingenious,  clever  fellow,  just  the 
man  to  be  cast  away  on  a  desolate  island." 

"  I  trust  we  shall  never  have  occasion  to  test  his  tal- 
ents under  such  extreme  circumstances,"  said  Arthur ; 
"  but,  if  we  can  manage  it,  I  should  really  like  Jack  to 
form  a  part  of  our  establishment.  As  to  that  luckless 
wench,  Ruth,  I  should  decidedly  object  to  her,  if  we 
could  be  cruel  enough  to  separate  them,  which  seems 
impossible.  But  I  shall  always  be  haunted  with  the 
idea  that  she  may  contrive,  somehow,  to  run  the  ship 
upon  a  rock." 

"  Oh  !  do  let  us  take  Ruth,  Meggie,"  exclaimed 
Gerald;  "it  will  be  such  fun.  Isn't  she  a  real  Irish 
girl,  all  wrong  words  and  unlucky  blunders.  Won't 
she  get  into  some  wonderful  scrapes,  Hugh  ?  " 

"  With  you  to  help  her,  Pat  Wronghead,"  replied 
Hugh.  "  But  mind,  Meggie,  she  is  to  go.  Papa  will 
say  what  you  choose  him  to  say ;  and  I  will  cajole 
nurse  out  of  her  consent." 

And  serious  as  the  charge  was  likely  to  become,  it 


16  JACK'S  PROJECT. 

was  at  length  agreed  that  Jack  and  Ruth  should  be 
included  in  the  party  with  the  Mayburns ;  and  the  girl 
was  immediately  transferred  to  the  rectory,  to  undergo 
a  short  course  of  drilling  previous  to  the  momentous 
undertaking. 


CHAPTER    II. 

Departure  from  Wendon.  —  Embarkation  in  the  Amoor.  —  Ruth's 
Adventures  in  London.  —  The  Deverell  Family.  —  The  Pleasures 
of  the  Voyage.  —  Tropical  Wonders.  —  The  Flying-fish.  —  The 
Stormy  Petrel.  —  The  Albatross.  —  Deverell's  Plans.  —  The  Indian 
Ocean.  —  A  Storm. 

FINALLY  the  successor  of  Mr.  Mayburn  arrived,  was 
initiated  in  his  office,  introduced  to  his  new  parishioners, 
and  had  promised  to  supply,  as  well  as  he  was  able,  the 
loss  which  the  mourning  poor  must  sustain  in  the  de- 
parture of  the  charitable  family.  Mr.  Mayburn's  old 
friend,  the  Bishop  of  *  *  *,  himself  accompanied  the 
family  to  London,  directed  them  in  the  mode  of  fitting 
out  for  the  voyage,  and  for  their  new  residence,  and 
supplied  them  with  letters  of  instruction  as  well  as  of 
introduction  before  he  left  them.  Some  weeks  of  delay 
followed,  and  several  disappointments;  but  at  length 
they  were  induced  to  embark,  with  nurse  Wilson,  Ruth, 
and  Jack,  on  board  the  Amoor,  a  good  sailing  vessel 
bound  to  Melbourne,  with  many  passengers ;  and  from 
thence  to  Calcutta,  with  cattle  and  merchandise ;  Cap- 
tain Barton,  who  commanded  the  ship,  being  an  old 
acquaintance  of  Mr.  Mayburn.  Established  in  a  large 
and  commodious  cabin,  Margaret  begged  that  nurse 
would  keep  Ruth  always  with  them,  for  the  girl  was 
distracted  with  the  strange  objects  around  her. 

"  Sit  ye  down,  lass,  and  hem  that  apron,"  said  Jenny, 
in  a  tone  of  authority.  "  Truly,  Miss  Margaret,  I 
2*  (17) 


18  RUTH    IN    LONDON. 

wouldn't  go  through  the  last  week  again  to  DC  Queen 
Victoria  herself,  God  bless  her ;  and  all  owing  to  that 
unlucky  lass.  Jack  is  a  decent  lad,  and  it  *s  unknown 
what  a  help  he  was  about  getting  the  things  here  safe  ; 
but  all  the  folks  in  London  seemed  of  one  mind  that 
she  was  fitter  for  a  'sylum  than  for  a  creditable  gentle- 
man's family.  It  Js  no  good  blubbering  about  it  now, 
girl ;  just  see  and  mind  what  you  are  about,  for  there  's 
no  police  here  to  look  after  you." 

"  Did  the  police  really  get  hold  of  her,  nurse  ? " 
asked  Gerald.  "What  fun  !" 

"  I  never  took  her  out  for  a  walk,  Master  O'Brien," 
answered  Jenny,  but  they  had  their  eye  on  her ;  they 
marked  her  at  once  as  one  that  needed  watching  — 
a  simpleton  1  Why,  it  was  no  later  than  yesterday 
morning  when  she  worked  on  me,  fool-body  as  I  was, 
to  go  with  her  to  see  St.  Paul's  ;  and  what  did  she  do 
then  but  start  from  my  arm  and  run  right  across  a 
street  thronged  with  cabs,  and  wagons,  and  omnibuses. 
I  just  shut  my  eyes  and  screamed,  for  I  never  thought 
to  see  her  again  living ;  and  there  was  such  a  hallooing 
among  coachmen  and  cabmen,  and  such  screaming  of 
women,  as  was  never  heard.  How  they  got  all  them 
horses  to  stop  is  just  a  miracle ;  but  when  I  looked 
again,  there  was  a  lot  of  police  holding  horses'  heads, 
and  one  man  was  hauling  Ruth  right  across  ;  and  he 
had  his  trouble,  for  when  she  heard  all  that  hullabaloo, 
she  was  for  turning  back  to  me  through  the  thick  of  it. 
Oh !  Miss  Marget,  was  n't  I  shamed  out  of  my  life 
when  they  fetched  her  back  to  me  at  last,  and  one  fine 
fellow  said  I  had  better  lead  my  daughter  in  a  string." 

Ruth  giggled  hysterically  at  the  recital  of  her  adven- 


THE    EMIGRANTS.  19 

ture,  and  when  Margaret  said  to  her  gravely,  —  "  You 
behaved  very  improperly,  Ruth,  why  did  you  leave 
your  kind  friend,  Mrs.  Wilson  ?  " 

"  Please  Miss  Marget,"  sobbed  the  girl ;  "  it  wras  a 
window  full  of  bonnie  babbies." 

"  She  's  just  a  babby  herself,  Miss  Marget,"  said 
Jenny,  wrathfully.  "  It  was  a  fine  toyshop  she  saw, 
and  she  had  no  more  sense  but  run  among  carriages  to 
it.  She 's  hardly  safe  shut  up  here  ;  see  if  she  does  n't 
tumble  into  the  sea  some  of  these  days." 

But  when  Ruth's  curiosity  and  astonishment  had 
somewhat  subsided,  the  quiet  and  firm  government  of 
Margaret,  and  the  watchful  care  of  Jack,  had  great 
power  over  her ;  though  still  the  wild  boys  Hugh  and 
Gerald  sometimes  tempted  her  to  pry  into  forbidden 
places,  or  to  join  them  in  some  mischievous  frolic. 

The  greater  part  of  the  accommodation  of  the  Amoor 
was  given  up  to  a  gentleman  of  good  birth  and  prop- 
erty, who  was  emigrating  to  Australia.  He  had  ob- 
tained a  grant  of  an  immense  tract  of  land  in  the  very 
midst  of  the  country,  further  north  than  the  steps  of 
the  colonists  had  yet  reached.  To  this  remote  district 
he  was  taking  his  mother,  his  young  sister,  and  a 
younger  brother  who  had  studied  medicine  ;  and  besides 
these,  a  number  of  male  and  female  servants,  carpen- 
ters, smiths,  builders,  drainers,  shepherds,  and  various 
workmen  likely  to  be  useful  in  a  new  colony.  These 
men  were  accompanied  by  their  wives  and  children, 
forming  a  considerable  clan,  all  depending  on  their 
worthy  and  energetic  chieftain.  The  vast  amount  of 
goods  brought  out  by  all  these  emigrants,  much  that 
was  useless,  as  must  ever  be  the  case,  among  the  use- 
ful, had  heavily  laden  the  vessel. 


20  EDWARD    DEVERF.LL. 

The  May  burns  and  Deverells  were  drawn  together 
as  much  by  kindred  taste  as  by  inevitable  circum- 
stances, and  they  soon  became  as  true  friends  as  if 
they  had  been  intimately  acquainted  for  years.  Ed- 
ward Deverell,  with  promptness  and  practical  knowl- 
edge, managed  the  affairs  and  smoothed  the  difficulties 
of  the  Mayburns;  while  Mr.  Mayburn  instructed  the 
ignorant,  and,  at  the  desire  of  the  captain,  a  right- 
minded  man,  daily  read  the  morning  and  evening  ser- 
vices publicly  —  a  most  beneficial  practice,  producing 
order  and  decorum,  and  implanting  in  the  minds  of  the 
young  the  seeds  of  future  blessing. 

"How  truly  I  should  rejoice,  dear  Margaret,"  said 
Deverell,  "  if  we  could  induce  your  excellent  father  to 
join  our  expedition.  I  would  then  undertake  to  build 
a  church;  and  might  hope  for  a  blessing  on  my  new 
colony,  if  the  foundation  were  so  happily  laid.  The 
climate  is  declared  to  be  exceedingly  salubrious,  much 
more  likely  to  suit  you  all  than  the  unhealthy  air  of 
India.  It  would  be  an  inestimable  advantage  to  my 
dear  sister  Emma ;  she  has  never  known  the  care  and 
tenderness  of  a  sister ;  she  needs  a  more  cheerful  com- 
panion than  her  good  mother,  who  has  delicate  health ; 
and  you,  Margaret  Mayburn,  are  the  model  I  should 
wish  her  to  imitate." 

"  I  need  a  sister  quite  as  much,"  answered  Margaret, 
"  to  soften  my  rough  points,  and  your  gentle,  gay  little 
Emma  charms  and  interests  me  ;  but,  alas !  papa  has 
accepted  a  duty  which  he  must  not  relinquish  without 
a  trial  to  fulfil  it.  I  regret  that  it  should  be  in  such 
a  locality  for  the  sake  of  my  brothers." 

"  You  are  right,  my  dear  friend,"  replied  he ;  "  ob- 
serve how  happily  they  are  now  engaged.  Arthur  has 


PLEASANT    EMPLOYMENT.  21 

looked  over  the  dried  plants,  and  he  is  now  dissecting 
rabbits  with  my  brother.  Hugh  and  your  ingenious 
Jack  are  at  work  with  my  carpenters,  making  models 
of  broad- wheeled  travelling-wagons  and  canoes  for  the 
rivers.  Even  the  mischievous  urchin  O'Brien  is  out 
of  danger  when  he  is  engaged  with  my  grooms  and 
herdsmen,  in  attendance  on  my  valuable  horses  and 
cattle.  What  can  these  ardent  boys  find  to  interest 
and  amuse  them  in  the  arid  and  enfeebling  plains  of 
India?" 

Margaret  knew  that  if  her  father  heard  these  argu- 
ments, they  would  certainly  agitate  him,  and  might 
even  shake  his  determination  to  proceed  in  the  under- 
taking, which  she  and  Arthur  were  of  opinion  he  was 
bound  to  complete.  She  therefore  begged  Deverell  to 
use  no  further  persuasions ;  but  she  promised  him,  that 
if  the  Indian  mission  was  beyond  the  physical  or  men- 
tal strength  of  her  father,  she  would  try  to  induce  him 
to  return  to  Melbourne,  and  from  thence  they  would 
endeavor  to  make  their  way  to  the  station  of  Mr.  Dev- 
erell, who  had  promised  to  leave  directions  for  their 
progress  with  his  banker  at  Melbourne,  which  he 
proposed  to  make  his  mart  for  business. 

It  was  truly  the  fact,  that  in  pleasant  employment 
no  one  found  the  long  voyage  tedious.  Jack  was  espec- 
ially charmed  with  his  increase  of  knowledge.  "  You 
see,  sir,"  said  he  to  Arthur,  "  I  was  qualified  to  make 
a  four-post  bedstead,  or  a  chest  of  drawers,  as  well  as 
the  best  of  these  chaps ;  but  they  tell  me  them  sort  of 
things  is  n't  much  needed  in  them  forrin  parts.  But 
what  they  've  brought  along  with  them  is  quite  another 
thing :  frames  for  wooden  houses,  ready  to  nail  up  in 
no  time ;  mills  and  threshing  machines ;  great,  broad- 


22  THE    IDES    OF    MARCH. 

felloed  wagons  for  their  rough  roads,  and  boats  of  all 
makes.  Just  look,  Mr.  Arthur,  I've  made  hits  of 
models  of  all  them  things,  you  see.  We  can't  say  but 
they  may  turn  up  useful  some  day." 

Even  Ruth  the  unlucky  lost  her  cognomen,  and  be- 
came popular  among  the  emigrant  women ;  for  when 
kept  quietly  at  regular  employment,  she  could  be 
steady  and  useful ;  it  was  only  when  she  was  hurried, 
or  thrown  upon  her  own  responsibility,  that  she  lost 
her  head,  and  blundered  into  mischief.  She  nursed 
the  babes  tenderly  and  carefully,  helped  the  poor 
women  to  wash  their  clothes,  and  for  the  first  time  in 
her  life  began  to  believe  she  might  be  of  some  use  in 
the  world.  Gerald,  who  always  insisted  on  it  that 
Ruth  was  not  half  so  bad  as  she  was  represented, 
assured  Jenny  that  all  the  girl's  errors  arose  from 
improper  management.  "You  do  not  appreciate  her 
talents  justly,  nurse,"  said  he.  "  She  is  quite  a  genius, 
and  ought  to  have  been  Irish,  only  she  was  born  in 
England.  You  have  wronged  poor  Ruth;  you  see  she 
has  never  drowned  a  babby  yet." 

"  Well,  Master  O'Brien,  wait  a  bit,  we  're  not  through 
our  voyage  yet,"  said  Jenny,  oracularly. 

"  The  Ides  of  March  are  not  gone,  she  would  say," 
said  Hugh. 

"  I  did  n't  mean  to  say  no  such  thing,  Master  Hugh," 
replied  she ;  "  you  're  so  sharp  with  one.  I  'm  not  so 
daft,  but  I  know  March  is  gone,  and  May-day  ought 
to  be  at  hand ;  not  that  we  can  see  any  signs  of  it, 
neither  leaves  nor  flowers  here,  and  I  cannot  see  days 
get  any  longer.  How  is  it,  Master  Arthur?  Is  it  be- 
cause we  're  atop  of  the  water  ?  " 

Arthur  endeavored  to  make  Jenny  comprehend  the 


THE    STORMY   PETREL.  23 

natural  consequences  of  their  position,  now  within  the 
tropics,  and  daily  drawing  nearer  to  the  equator ;  but 
he  only  succeeded  in  agitating  the  mind  of  the  old 
woman,  without  enlightening  her. 

"  God  help  us  !  "  she  exclaimed.  "  Nigher  and 
nigher  to  the  sun  !  Its  downright  temptation  and 
wickedness,  my  dears ;  and  my  thought  is,  one  ought 
to  stay  where  it  has  pleased  Him  to  plant  us.  And 
think  ye,  Master  Arthur,  we  shall  all  turn  black,  like 
them  niggers  we  saw  in  London  streets." 

"  No  ;  certainly  not,  nurse,"  answered  Arthur.  "  It 
requires  hundreds  of  years,  under  a  tropical  sun,  to 
change  the  color  of  Europeans.  Besides,  the  negroes, 
although  we  are  all  children  of  Adam,  are  of  a  distinct 
race  from  us.  We  are  certainly  not,  like  the  thick- 
lipped  negroes,  the  descendants  of  Ham." 

"  Likely  he  had  been  the  plainest  of  Noah's  family," 
said  Jenny,  "for  beauty  runs  in  the  blood,  that  I'll 
stand  to,"  continued  the  attached  nurse,  looking  round 
with  complacency  on  her  handsome  young  nurslings, 

To  the  young  voyagers  there  was  an  indescribable 
charm  in  the  novelties  which  the  sea  and  the  air  offered 
to  them  in  the  tropical  region  they  had  now  entered. 
Now  for  the  first  time  they  beheld  the  flying-fish  rise 
sparkling  from  the  waves,  to  descend  as  quickly;  es- 
caping for  a  short  time  from  its  enemies  in  the  waves 
to  expose  itself  to  the  voracious  tribes  of  the  air, 
who  are  ready  to  dart  upon  it.  And  sometimes  the 
elegant  little  Stormy  Petrel,  with  its  slender  long  legs, 
seemed  to  walk  the  waters,  like  the  fervent  St.  Peter, 
from  whom  it  derives  its  name. 

"  B  ut  is  not  this  bird  believed  to  be  the  harbinger  of 
storms  ?  "  asked  Margaret  of  her  father,  as  he  watched 


24  THE    ALBATROSS. 

with  delight  the  graceful  creature  he  had  so  often  de- 
sired to  behold. 

"  Such  is  the  belief  of  the  sailors,"  answered  he, 
"  who  have  added  the  ill-omened  epithet  to  its  name. 
It  is  true  that  the  approach,  or  the  presence,  of  a  gale, 
has  nO  terror  to  this  intrepid  bird,  the  smallest  of  the 
web-footed  tribe.  It  ascends  the  mountainous  wave, 
and  skims  along  the  deep  hollows,  treading  the  water, 
supported  by  its  expanded  wings,  in  search  of  the  food 
which  the  troubled  sea  casts  on  the  surface : 

'  Up  and  down  !  up  and  down  ! 
From  the  base  of  the  wave  to  the  billow's  crown, 
Amidst  the  flashing  and  feathery  foam, 
The  Stormy  Petrel  finds  a  home,' 

as  a  poet  who  is  a  true  lover  of  nature  has  written. 
Yet  it  is  not  always  the  harbinger  or  the  companion 
of  the  storm,  for  even  in  the  calmest  weather  it  follows 
a  vessel,  to  feed  on  the  offal  thrown  overboard,  as  fear- 
less and  familiar  in  the  presence  of  man  as  the  pert 
sparrow  of  London." 

"  Here,  papa  !  "  cried  Hugh,  "  here  is  a  new  creature 
to  add  to  your  collection.  I  know  him  at  once,  —  the 
huge  Albatross." 

With  the  admiration  of  a  naturalist,  Mr.  Mayburn 
looked  on  the  gigantic  bird,  continuing  its  solemn  ma- 
jestic flight  untiringly  for  hours  after  the  ship,  its  keen 
eye  ever  on  the  watch  for  any  floating  substance  v  hich 
was  thrown  from  the  vessel,  and  then  swooping  heavily 
down  to  snatch  the  prize  voraciously,  and  circling  round 
the  ship,  again  to  resume  its  place  at  the  wake. 

"  I  see  now,"  said  he,  "  why  Coleridge  wrote,  — 

'  The  Albatross  did  follow, 

And  every  day,  for  food  or  play, 
Came  to  the  mariner's  hollo  ! ' 


FAIRY    LAND.  25 

But  the  poet  mistook  the  habits  of  the  bird  entirely 
when  he  added,  that  *  on  mast  or  shroud  it  perched.' 
The  difficulty  of  expanding  its  wing  of  five  joints,  so 
immensely  long,  would  impede  its  rising  from  the  mast 
of  a  ship ;  it  scrambles  along  the  waves  before  it  can 
rise  above  them ;  and  it  has  been  well  said,  '  The  alba- 
tross is  the  mere  creature  of  the  wind,  and  has  no  more 
power  over  itself  than  a  paper  kite  or  an  air  balloon. 
It  is  all  wing,  and  has  no  muscle  to  raise  itself  with,  and 
must  wait  for  a  wind  before  it  can  get  under  sail.' " 

The  family  were  assembled  on  deck  in  the  close  of 
the  evening,  after  the  fervid  heat  of  an  equatorial  sun, 
and  they  beheld  with  enjoyment  the  wonders  of  the 
deep  ;  but  the  old  nurse  seemed  disturbed  and  awe- 
struck. 

"Every  thing  seems  turned  topsy-turvy  here,"  said 
she.  "  Days  far  hotter  nor  ever  I  mind  them,  and 
May-day  not  come ;  fishes  with  wings,  flying  as  if  they 
were  birds,  and  birds  walking  atop  of  the  water,  as  if 
it  were  dry  land.  It 's  unnatural,  Miss  Marget,  and  no 
good  can  come  on  it,  I  say." 

"  Ah !  if  you  were  but  going  with  us,  Mrs.  Wilson/'  . 
said  Charles  Deverell ;  "  then  I  would  engage  you 
should  see  wonders.  You  should  see  beasts  hopping 
about  like  birds,  and  wearing  pockets  to  carry  their 
young  ones  in  ;  black  swans  and  white  eagles ;  cuckoos 
that  cry  in  the  night,  and  owls  that  scream  by  day ; 
pretty  little  birds  that  cannot  sing,  and  bees  that  never 
sting.  There  the  trees  shed  their  bark  instead  of  their 
leaves,  and  the  cherries  grow  with  the  stone  outside." 

"  Now,  just  hold  your  tongue,  Mr.  Charles,"  answered 
nurse,  angrily.    "  Your  brother  would  scorn  to  talk  such 
3 


26  PLANS    FOR    THE    FUTURE. 

talk ;  but  you  're  no  better  than  Master  Gerald,  trying 
to  come  over  an  old  body  with  your  fairy  stones." 

"  It  is  quite  true,  Mrs.  Wilson,"  said  Emma  Deverell, 
"and  I  wish  you  were  all  going  with  us  into  this  land 
of  enchantments.  Then,  Margaret,  dear  Margaret,  how 
happy  we  should  be.  You  should  be  queen,  and  we  all 
your  attendant  sylphs,  and 

*  Merry  it  would  be  in  fairy-land, 
Where  the  fairy  birds  were  singing.'  " 

"  Merry  for  you,  little  wild  goose,"  said  her  brother 
Edward ;  "  but  Charles  has  told  you  the  fairy  birds  do 
not  sing ;  and  our  sylph-life  will  be  one  of  hard  labor 
for  many  monlhs  before  we  make  our  fairy-land  and 
court  lit  to  receive  our  queen.  Then  we  must  try  and 
lure  her  to  us.  How  shall  we  contrive  it,  Emma  ?  " 

Margaret  smiled  and  shook  her  head.  "  Too  bright 
a  dream,"  said  she,  "  to  be  safely  indulged  in.  But  you 
must  tell  us  all  you  propose  to  do,  and  we  will  watch 
your  progress  in  fancy." 

"Oh,  do  tell  us  all  about  it,  Edward,"  said  Hugh. 
"  But,  first  of  all,  make  a  dot  upon  my  map,  that  we 
may  know  where  you  are  when  we  come  to  seek  you." 

"  Very  prudent,  Hugh,"  answered  Edward,  "  though 
I  doubt  the  accuracy  of  my  dot  on  this  small  map  ;  but 
I  suppose  I  shall  not  be  more  than  a  hundred  miles 
wrong,  and  that  is  nothing  in  the  wilds  of  Australia." 

"  But  I  see  you  will  be  close  on  this  great  river  that 
falls  into  the  Darling,"  said  Hugh  ;  "  so  if  we  only  follow 
up  the  rivers,  we  must  find  you." 

"  You  would  not  find  that  so  easy  a  task  as  it  seems, 
mv  boy,"  replied  Edward.  "Neither  are  we,  as  you 


LA    BELLE    MARGUERITE.  27 

suppose,  close  on  that  river,  but  fifty  miles  from  it ;  but 
we  have  a  charming  little  river  laid  down  on  our  plan, 
which  we  must  coax  and  pet  in  the  rainy  season,  that  it 
may  provide  us  with  water  in  the  drought." 

"  You  have  a  most  extensive  tract,"  said  Arthur, 
looking  on  the  plan. 

"  Oh,  yes,"  said  Charles,  "  we  propose,  you  know,  to 
build  a  castle  for  ourselves,  and  a  tpwn  for  our  vassals." 

"There  lies  my  castle,"  said  Edward,  pointing  to 
some  large  packages  which  contained  the  frame  of  his  fu- 
ture abode.  "  As  for  the  town,  I  am  not  without  hopes 
to  see  it  rise  some  time,  and  do  honor  to  its  name." 

"  Deverell,  I  conclude  ?  "  observed  Arthur. 

"  So  my  mother  wishes  the  station  to  be  called,"  re- 
plied he ;  "  but  my  own  *  modest  mansion,'  I  should 
wish  to  name  Daisy  Grange." 

"I  never  understood  that  the  daisy  was  indigenous 
in  Australia,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn. 

"  Certainly  it  is  not,  sir,"  answered  Edward ;  "  but 
we  have  fortunately  brought  out  a  number  of  roots  of 
this  dear  home  flower,  and  will  try  to  domesticate  them 
in  our  new  country ;  though  I  fear  they  will  be  apt  to 
forget  their  native  simplicity,  and  learn  to  flaunt  in 
colors." 

"I  know  why  you  wish  to  call  your  house  Daisy 
Grange,  Edward,"  said  Emma,  nodding  sagaciously  at 
Margaret,  and  the  general  laughter  showed  the  little 
girl  had  surmised  correctly. 

"  A  very  pretty  and  delicate  compliment,"  said  Mr. 
Mayburn:  "our  own  glorious  Chaucer  speaks  of  the 
daisy  as  — 

*  La  belle  marguerite, 
O  commendable  flower,  and  most  in  minde;  * 


28  VISIT    TO    THE    CAPE. 

and  the  noble  Margaret  of  Va-ois,  a  Christian  and  a 
scholar,  had  the  daisy,  or  marguerite,  worn  in  honor  of 
her  name,  and  is  herself  remembered  as  the  "  Marguer- 
ite of  Marguerites." 

And  thus  they  amused  themselves  till,  without  storm 
or  delay,  they  had  crossed  the  equator,  and  entered  the 
South  Sea,  when  a  new  source  of  enjoyment  was  opened 
to  Mr.  Mayburn,  who  had  long  desired  to  view  the 
constellations  of  the  south;  and  favorable  weather  en- 
abled them  to  study  astronomy  every  night.  Never  for 
a  moment  did  the  voyage  seem  tedious  in  the  cheerful 
society  of  the  happy  families,  and  all  things  concurred 
to  render  it  agreeable.  The  provisions  were  excellent, 
fresh  meat  and  bread,  with  milk  in  abundance,  pre- 
vented them  from  suffering  from  change  of  diet ;  and 
constant  employment  made  the  moments  fly.  In  the 
morning  the  young  Mayburns,  with  Emma  Deverell, 
read  with  Mr.  Mayburn,  and  studied  Hindostanee ;  and 
in  the  evening  they  walked  on  deck,  listening  to  the 
pleasant  anecdotes  told  by  Edward  Deverell,  who  had 
been  a  great  traveller.  Then  they  had  music,  and  oc- 
casionally dancing  ;  and  if  sometimes  a  light  gale  tossed 
the  vessel,  or  swept  the  dinner  from  the  table,  the  con- 
tretemps caused  mirth  rather  than  wailing.  Mr.  May- 
burn  himself,  busily  engaged  in  teaching,  lecturing,  or 
in  writing  and  delivering  simple  sermons  to  the  poor 
emigrants,  recovered  his  cheerfulness,  and  once  more 
began  to  confide  in  himself. 

And  so,  in  good  time,  they  reached  the  Cape,  and 
Jenny  discovered  that  now,  "when  May-day  was 
turned,"  it  wa.s  far  colder  than  any  May-day  in  Eng- 
land, and  put  on  her  warm  shawl  to  land  with  her 
young  charge  to  see  the  town,  and  to  look  after  that 


THE    INDIAN    OCEAN.  29 

"  feckless  Ruth."  It  was  a  great  pleasure  to  the  ardent 
young  people  to  set  their  feet  on  the  shores  of  Africa, 
to  see  the  vessels  of  many  nations  crowding  the  harbor, 
and  the  people  of  many  countries  thronging  the  busy 
streets,  to  make  excursions  to  the  mountains  and  vine- 
covered  hills  around,  and  to  collect  the  botanical  treas- 
ures of  a  new  and  fertile  region.  Mr.  Deverell  was 
more  usefully  engaged  with  his  herdsmen  and  shep- 
herds, in  completing  his  stock  of  cattle  and  sheep,  and 
in  making  other  purchases  for  his  great  undertaking; 
and  thus  many  days  were  spent  pleasantly  and  profit- 
ably. 

Once  more  embarked,  a  shade  of  melancholy  was 
perceptible  —  among  the  young  especially  —  as  they 
daily  approached  nearer  to  the  shores  where  they  must 
be  separated ;  for  the  two  families,  so  kindred  in  taste 
and  disposition,  had  become  truly  attached  during  their 
long  voyage ;  and  notwithstanding  the  pleasant  pros- 
pect of  new  scenes  and  pursuits,  they  were  less  cheerful 
every  day.  Even  Edward  Deverell,  with  his  mind 
crowded  with  plans  for  clearing,  draining,  cultivating, 
sheep-shearing,  and  tallow-melting,  felt  deep  regret  at 
the  prospect  of  separation  from  the  lively,  intelligent 
boys,  and  their  amiable  and  sensible  sister ;  and  Mar- 
garet herself,  usually  so  composed  and  contented,  sighed 
to  think  she  must  lose  the  valuable  counsel  of  Edward, 
the  friendly  protection  of  his  mild  invalid  mother,  and 
the  warm  affection  of  the  sprightly  Emma;  and  every 
evening,  as  they  walked  on  deck,  they  indulged  hopes, 
and  sketched  plans  of  meeting  again. 

After  they  had  entered  the  Indian  Ocean,  they  had 
no  longer  the  favorable  and  uleasant  breezes  they  had 


SO  A    STORM. 

so  long  enjoyed,  and  while  Hugh  and  Gerald  were 
anxiously  looking  out  for  pirates,  and  talking  of  Malays, 
of  prahus,  and  of  kreeses,  the  sailors  were  watching  the 
signs  of  the  sky,  wrestling  with  contrary  winds,  and 
guarding  against  sudden  gales. 

"  How  vexatious,"  said  Hugh,  "  to  be  drifted  about 
every  way  but  the  right  way,  and  to  have  all  this  noise 
and  splashing  and  dashing,  and  yet  nothing  to  come  of 
it.  Now  if  we  had  a  grand  regular  storm,  and  a  ship- 
wreck, and  were  all  cast  away  on  an  uninhabited  island, 
it  would  be  an  adventure  ;  there  would  be  some  life  in 
that." 

"  More  likely  there  would  be  death  in  it,"  said  Mar- 
garet. "  Do  not  be  so  presumptuous,  unthinking  boy  !  " 

"I  should  enjoy  the  thing  amazingly  myself,  Mar- 
garet," said  Gerald ;  "  so  don't  you  look  grave  about  it. 
Or  what  would  you  think,  Hugh,  if  a  great  fleet  of 
prahus  were  to  surround  us  and  try  to  board  us,  while 
we,  armed  and  ready  for  them,  were  to  pour  our  shots 
into  them,  and  put  the  rogues  to  flight.  But  first  we 
would  take  care  to  capture  the  fierce  pirate  captain, 
and  take  possession  of  all  his  treasures.  Then  would  n't 
we  enter  Melbourne  in  triumph,  and  have  the  robber 
hauled  up  to  the  gallows." 

"  Pirates  do  not  usually  carry  their  treasures  about 
in  their  prahus,"  said  Arthur ;  "  nor  do  I  think  it  is 
at  all  desirable  that  we  should  encounter  a  piratical 
fleet.  Where  are  your  guns  to  pour  down  destruction 
on  the  foe,  Master  Gerald  ?  " 

"  Oh,  murther ! "  cried  the  wild  boy,  "  was  n't  I  for- 
getting the  guns  !  Now,  what  for  did  we  come  in  a 
merchantman,  as  quiet  and  dull  as  a  quaker?  "Well, 


A    STORM.  31 

well,  Arty,  we  have  plenty  of  brave  fellows,  and  our 
own  rifles  and  pistols,  besides  knives  and  dirks.  We 
should  defend  ourselves  like  Britons,  I'll  be  bound." 
But  the  next  day  there  was  no  cause  to  complain  of 
dulness,  for  a  real  gale  came  on,  and  all  was  confusion. 
The  wind  roared,  the  waves  rose  tremendously,  the 
ship  rolled  fearfully  in  a  heavy  sea,  and  before  night 
the  maintop-gallant  was  carried  away.  Then  sail  was 
reduced ;  but  louder  and  stronger  grew  the  tempest 
amid  the  darkness  of  night.  Mast  after  mast  was  rent 
away,  and  the  crippled  vessel  continued  to  drift  help- 
lessly for  twenty-four  hours,  when  the  violence  of  the 
gale  began  to  abate.  Signals  of  distress  were  made, 
but  long  in  vain.  At  length  a  vessel  appeared  in  sight, 
and  distinguishing  their  signals,  made  up  to  them.  It 
was  bound  to  Melbourne,  which  was  now  within  a  few 
days*  sail,  and,  with  as  much  kindness  as  difficulty,  the 
stranger,  succeeded  in  taking  the  disabled  Amoor  in  tow, 
and  bringing  her  into  port  in  safety. 


CHAPTER    III. 

Melbourne.  —  The  Squatters.  —  The  Two  Convicts.  — A  Painful 
Separation.  —  The  Golden  Fairy.  —  Ruth's  Misfortunes.  —  A 
Nocturnal  Alarm.  —  Ruth's  Confession. — The  Ship  on  Fire. 

WEARY,  distressed,  and  suffering,  the  passengers  or 
the  Amoor  gladly  landed  on  the  busy  wharf,  and  were 
conveyed  to  Melbourne,  where  Mr.  Mayburn  and  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  Deverell  and  Emma,  were  settled  in  a 
handsome  hotel ;  but  Mr.  Deverell  and  his  people,  with 
the  young  Mayburns,  remained  at  the  port  to  land  the 
cargo  and  inspect  the  damage  done  by  the  storm.  It 
was  soon  ascertained  that  the  loss  must  be  consider- 
able—  a  number  of  sheep  and  cattle,  besides  a  valuable 
horse,  had  been  swept  into  the  sea ;  and  all  that  had 
been  saved  were  in  bad  condition ;  but  it  was  to  be 
hoped  a  short  rest  at  Melbourne  might  restore  these, 
and  fit  them  for  their  long  journey  into  the  interior. 
Then  Deverell  had  to  search  for  experienced  drovers 
to  guide  and  assist  his  own  men ;  and  finally,  he  under- 
took to  inquire  for  the  first  vessel  to  Calcutta  that  could 
accommodate  Mr.  Mayburn  and  his  family,  as  some 
months  must  elapse  before  the  disabled  Amoor  could  be 
prepared  to  resume  the  voyage. 

The  girls  looked  out  from  the  windows  of  the  hotel 
with  admiration  at  the  broad  and  peopled  streets,  the 
handsome  churches,  and  the  European  aspect  of  a  town 
on  the  spot  which,  but  a  few  years  before,  had  been  a 
lonely  wilderness;  but  the  pious  Mr.  Mayburn  called 

(32) 


THE    LANDING.  33 

them  away  to  unite  with  him  in  thanksgiving  for  this 
their  first  experience  of  the  progress  of  divine  and 
social  knowledge,  even  into  the  farthest  regions  of  the 
earth. 

"The  spirit  which  has  clothed  the  desert  with  the 
blessings  of  peace  and  abundance,"  said  he,  "  and  has 
planted  the  gospel  of  life  in  a  newly-discovered  world, 
will  by  God's  blessing  spread  onwards  like  a  fertilizing 
river  till  the  word  of  the  Lord  be  accomplished;  for 
the  blessed  day  draweth  nigh  when  the  scattered  people 
of  God  shall  be  gathered  into  one  fold,  and  the  great 
shepherd  shall  say,  '  Well  done.' " 

"  God  speed  the  day,  dear  papa,"  said  Margaret. 
"  But  we  must  not  be  mere  watchers ;  we  must  all  be 
workers.  Wherever  we  go,  we  shall  find  an  untilled 
field,  and  we  must  all  put  our  shoulders  to  the  plough." 

"  You  are  right,  my  child,"  replied  he,  with  a  sigh ; 
for  though  ever  willing  to  fulfil  the  duty  lying  before 
him,  Mr.  Mayburn  wanted  resolution  to  seek  out  the 
hard  work  of  the  fervent  missionary  of  Christianity. 
Evening  brought  to  them  the  fatigued  young  men  with 
satisfactory  news.  A  vessel,  the  Golden  Fairy,  which 
had  landed  a  party  of  gold-diggers  fro:n  England,  was 
going  forward  to  Calcutta  with  sheep  and  merchandise. 
The  captain,  very  glad  to  obtain  passengers,  readily 
agreed  to  accommodate  Mr.  May  burn's  family ;  he  was 
to  sail  in  three  days,  so  no  time  must  be  lost  in  making 
preparations. 

"  As  to  my  own  affairs,"  added  Edward  Deverell,  "  I 
have  succeeded  in  finding  quarters  for  all  iny  live-stock. 
The  cattle,  horses,  pigs,  and  sheep  were  certainly  some- 
what unruly  ,•  but  the  women  and  children  ten  times 
more  troublesome.  Such  an  amount  of  bundles,  bags, 
3 


34  THE    SQUATTERS. 

baskets,  cradles,  and  cats  as  they  have  brought !  How 
we  have  housed  them  all  is  a  miracle  ;  and  how  we  are 
to  get  them  up  the  country  is  a  puzzling  problem. 
Finally,  I  have  bought  a  train  of  wagons,  and  engaged 
two  gentlemen  as  guides,  who  are  her  majesty's  prison- 
ers, released  on  parole;  in  fact,  two  ticket-of-leave 
convicts." 

A  scream  from  Emma,  and  a  groan  from  her  mother, 
followed  this  information. 

"  Surely  you  have  not  been  so  rash,  Edward,"  said 
Mrs.  Deverell.  "  Let  us  make  our  way  rather  with  our 
own  people  only.  Consider  the  contamination  of  such 
society  for  our  poor  virtuous  followers.  Besides,  it  is 
but  too  probable  we  may  be  robbed  and  murdered  by 
such  wretches." 

"  It  is  an  inevitable  evil,  mother,"  answered  Edward, 
"  for  we  cannot  attempt  the  journey  without  guidance. 
These  men  have  behaved  well  since  their  transportation  ; 
they  are  brothers  —  poachers —  who,  like  many  in  their 
situation,  have  erred  rather  through  ignorance  and 
weakness  than  depravity.  At  least,  such  is  the  report 
of  the  overlooker  who  recommended  them.  They  have 
been  out  before  in  the  interior  with  squatters,  and  know 
the  valleys  of  the  Murray  and  the  Darling,  beyond 
which  our  ultra-frontier  tract  is  spread.  I  have  been  to 
the  Colonial  Office,  and  have  obtained  the  necessary 
forms  for  taking  possession  of  fifty  thousand  acres  of 
waste  land,  as  it  is  called,  for  a  long  lease  of  years. 
And  now,  mother,  we  are,  according  to  the  legalized 
and  elegant  form,  squatters." 

"  Colonists,  my  son;  I  cannot  bear  the  strange, 
uncouth  word  squatters,"  said  Mrs,  Deverell. 

"  Nevertheless,  mamma,"  said  Edward,  laughing,  "  it 


THE    BLESSINGS    OF   "  EDDICATION."  35 

is  official  language.  "We  may  call  ourselves,  if  we 
choose,  landed  gentry ;  but  the  world  of  Australia  will 
rank  us  only  as  part  of  the  squattocracy" 

"  Am  I  a  squatter  ?  "  asked  little  Emma,  in  dismay ; 
and  great  was  the  mirth  of  her  favorite  friends,  Hugh 
and  Gerald,  when  Emrna  was  pronounced  to  be  legally 
a  squatter. 

Early  next  morning  the  two  convict  guides  were 
admitted  to  receive  their  final  directions  from  Mr. 
Deverell,  and  were  regarded  with  some  uneasiness  and 
much  curiosity.  One  was  a  rough  country  lad,  dressed 
in  a  fustian  suit  and  a  fur  cap,  rude^  in  manner,  but  of 
pleasing,  open  countenance :  the  other,  who  was  older, 
had  a  shabby-genteel  appearance  ;  he  had  discarded  his 
convict's  habit,  and  had  expended  the  earnest-money 
received  from  Mr.  Deverell  in  an  old  suit  of  black 
clothes,  and  a  very  bad  English  hat,  which  he  had 
placed  on  his  head  in  a  jaunty  style. 

"  Please  to  show  me  your  district  by  map,  sir,"  said 
he,  bowing  at  the  same  time  in  a  very  conceited  manner 
to  the  ladies.  "You  must  look  to  me,  cartee  blank, 
sir ;  for  you  see,  sir,  my  brother  is  not  intelligible ;  he 
has  not  had  the  blessing  of  eddication." 

"And  your  education,  my  friend,"  said  Edward 
Deverell,  "has  not  been  a  blessing  to  you,  I  fear. 
Have  you  not  rather  turned  it  to  evil?" 

"  Quite  the  contrairy,  sir,"  said  the  man.  "  I  look 
forrard  to  its  helping  me  up-hill  in  this  free  country. 
Why,  sir,  a  man  born  anunder  an  hedge  may  top  over 
quality  and  ride  in  his  carriage  here,  if  he  can  only 
come  round  his  parts  of  speech  rightly.  But  Davy 
will  stick  where  he  is,  for  he  never  could  tell  an  X 
from  an  anpassy" 


86  THE    TWO    CONVICTS. 

"  It 's  all  true,"  said  the  rough  rustic,  "  I  'se  no  scholar 
like  Bill,  master,  but  I'se  do  my  best  for  ye,  and  glad  to 
get  out  from  amang  yon  rogues.  It's  hard  for  a  lad  to 
be  sorted  with  such  company  for  just  sniggling  a  hare." 

"  Ensnaring,  David,"  said  his  brother,  pompously  ; 
"  sniggling  is  colloquial." 

"  Sniggling,  you  know,  Bill,"  answered  David,  "  our 
lads  call  it  in  t'  north  country ;  and  little  harm  is  there 
in  't  I  say,  that  they  should  send  a  poor  lad  amang 
thieves  and  cut-throats.  But,  please  God,  I  'se  out  of 
their  way,  and  it  will  be  mony  a  day  afore  I  come  nigh 
them  again." 

"  You  seem  a  simple,  though  ignorant  youth,"  said 
Mr.  Mayburn,  "and  I  cannot  understand  how  it  hap- 
pened you  were  so  severely  punished  for  poaching  ; 
though  doubtless  it  is  an  offence  against  the  law." 

Bill  laughed  contemptuously  as  he  replied  for  his 
brother,  — "  You  see,  sir,  Davy  was  always  a  fool,  or 
we  need  not  both  have  been  expostulated  to  this  place. 
Our  master  always  called  him  David  Simple,  and  sure 
enough,  if  it  had  not  been  for  his  downright  idiosyn- 
crasy, we  might  have  got  clear  off ;  but  nothing  would 
serve  him  but  to  show  fight." 

"  Now,  just  be  quiet,  Bill,  man,"  said  David ;  "  it 
was  for  thee  I  stood  out.  You  'se  hear  all,  master  ;  I  'se 
tell  t'  truth.  Bill  had  his  gun,  and  brought  down  a  few 
birds,  and  I  were  knocking  a  few  rabbits  over,  and  it 
chanced  to  be  a  moonshiny  night,  when  out  pops  a 
keeper,  and  fells  Bill  down  with  a  club  ;  and  I  heard 
him  shout  out  to  me,  as  how  his  arm  was  broken. 
That  aggravated  me  bitter,  and  up  I  ran,  and  leath- 
ered t'  fellow  well  with  my  stick.  Then  Bill  got  up 
and  ran  off,  but  I  was  fain  to  stop,  and  give  t'  keeper  a 


THE    GOLDEN    FAIRY.  37 

hiding ;  but  he  roared  out  so  loud  that  two  more  chaps 
came  up,  and  first  took  me,  and  then  went  off  after 
Bill.  When  they  got  to  our  lodging,  he  made  as  how 
he  knew  nought  about  it,  but  they  found  birds  and  his 
gun  underneath  t'  bed  ;  and  there  was  his  arm  all 
black  and  blue,  but  not  broken,  as  he  said.  So  off  they 
carried  us  to  prison,  and  Bill  wanted  me  to  say  as  how 
he  that  were  with  me  were  Jack  Kay,  an  auld  poacher ; 
but  I  could  n't  swear  away  a  man's  charackter,  and  t* 
keeper  took  his  oath  Bill  wanted  to  shut  him,  and  I 
were  no  better  ;  so  they  sent  us  both  over  t'  water. 
It 's  a  thousand  pities  for  Bill,  for  he 's  a  scholar,  cute 
as  he  is  about  sniggling." 

David  was  the  favorite  of  the  family,  who  did  not 
admire  the  flowery  language  and  cunning  look  of  cute 
Bill  ;  but  among  a  horde  of  lawless  men,  Edward 
Deverell  congratulated  himself  that  he  had  been  for- 
tunate enough  to  obtain  two  men  less  depraved  than 
might  have  been  expected. 

It  was  with  a  sinking  heart,  oppressed  with  strange 
forebodings,  that  Margaret  looked  on  the  large,  dark, 
dirty  and  gloomy  ship  honored  by  the  inappropriate 
name  of  the  Golden  Fairy.  She  grieved  for  the  sep- 
aration from  the  new  friends  that  the  whole  family  had 
learned  to  love  so  well,  and  she  shrunk  from  the  pros- 
pect of  unknown  difficulties  and  dangers,  when  all  de- 
cision and  responsibility  would  be  thrown  upon  her, 
from  the  helpless  character  of  her  beloved  but  irreso- 
lute parent.  During  the  first  voyage,  the  powerful  and 
energetic  character  of  Edward  Deverell  had  swayed 
the  judgment  of  Mr.  Mayburn  ;  but  in  future,  Mar- 
garet felt  she  could  only  look  to  her  young  brother 

Arthur  for  aid. 

4 


38  THE    GOLDEN    FAIRY. 

"Yet  have  I  not  a  greater  aid?"  she  repeated  to 
herself.  "  Forgive  me,  my  heavenly  Father !  Thou 
art  my  friend  and  my  counsellor !  Let  me  ever  turn 
to  Thee  in  my  trials,  and  I  must  be  in  safety."  And 
thus,  with  a  heart  ever  recognizing  the  presence  and 
relying  on  the  love  of  a  watchful  God,  Margaret  May- 
burn  walked  on  her  way  steadily  and  fearlessly. 

The  parting  of  the  two  families  was  very  painful, 
yet  they  cheered  themselves  with  the  hope  so  un- 
quenchable in  the  young.  They  talked  confidently  of 
their  future  meeting,  the  boys  traced  over  and  over 
again  on  the  map  the  route  they  proposed  to  take  to 
Daisy  Grange ;  and,  but  for  Margaret's  firmness,  even 
Mr.  Mayburn,  at  the  last  moment,  would  have  relin- 
quished his  hopes  of  spreading  the  gospel  in  the  East, 
to  follow  the  new  colonists  into  the  dreary  untrodden 
deserts. 

There  was  an  appearance  of  neglect  and  disorder 
in  the  Golden  Fairy  that  was  repugnant  to  the  taste 
of  the  Mayburns,  after  being  accustomed  to  the  trim, 
orderly  arrangements  of  the  Amoor  ;  Edward  Dev- 
erell  pointed  out  to  Captain  Markham  several  neces- 
sary changes  which  must  be  made  for  the  comfort  of 
passengers  who  paid  him  so  handsomely,  and  was  an- 
noyed to  perceive  that  his  suggestions  were  received 
slightingly  and  almost  contemptuously.  He  himself 
procured  more  conveniences  for  the  cabin  of  his  friends, 
and  he  besought  Margaret  and  Arthur  to  be  firm  and 
determined  with  Markham,  who  seemed  careless,  and, 
he  suspected,  addicted  to  drinking.  Now,  when  too 
late,  he  regretted  that  he  had  not  induced  the  family 
to  remain  at  Melbourne  for  the  sailing  of  the  mail 
packet;  but  Arthur  had  been  anxious  for  his  father 


CONFUSION.  39 

to  hasten  to  his  mission,  lest  his  vacillating  nature 
should  lead  him  to  relinquish  it.  Besides  which,  the 
throng  of  gold-diggers  made  the  cost  of  living  at  Mel- 
bourne a  serious  consideration. 

Finally,  with  tears  and  sorrowful  hearts,  the  friends 
took  leave  of  each  other,  with  the  remote  chance  that 
favorable  circumstances  might  bring  them  together 
again  ;  and  it  was  not  till  the  fair  sunny  shores  of 
Australia  had  faded  from  their  sight,  that  the  voya- 
gers retired  to  their  cabin  to  endeavor  to  resign  them- 
selves to  their  changed  circumstances. 

The  want  of  order  in  their  new  home  was  particu- 
larly trying  to  the  scarcely-reclaimed  Ruth.  She  had 
learned  to  be  useful  among  the  emigrant  women  in  the 
neatly-ordered  Amoor  ;  but  she  soon  relapsed  into  her 
usual  heedless  habits,  amidst  the  scattered  packages 
and  general  confusion  in  the  Golden  Fairy.  She  stum- 
bled over  boxes  which  were  not  stowed  in  their  proper 
places,  she  was  thrown  down  by  some  terrified  sheep 
that  had  escaped  from  its  pen,  she  trod  to  death  some 
rambling  chicken  that  had  found  its  way  into  the  cabins, 
or  she  destroyed  the  cups  and  plates  by  officiously 
spreading  the  table  in  the  midst  of  a  gale,  though  she 
had  been  warned  of  the  consequences. 

"  Margaret,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  who  had  been  un- 
easily watching  the  girl's  unlucky  movements,  "  I  am  of 
opinion  that  poor  Ruth  should  be  subjected  to  some 
restraint.  I  observe  that  the  inevitable  result  of  her 
undertakings  is  destruction.  She  is  a  curious  study ; 
nor  can  I  solve  the  mystery  why  she  should  always 
do  wrong  when  she  designs  to  do  right.  I  am  alarmed, 
Margaret ;  I  eat  my  food  in  terror,  lest  she  should 


40  CAPTAIN    MARKIIAM. 

have  poured  laudanum  into  the  curry,  or  scattered  arse- 
nic over  the  pudding." 

"  Have  no  fear,  papa,"  answered  Margaret.  "  Ruth 
is  never  intrusted  with  culinary  preparations  :  the 
cook  is  too  cross  to  allow  her  to  touch  any  of  his 
dishes,  nor  has  she  the  means  of  procuring  any  of  those 
dreaded  poisons.  I  do  not  fear  that  she  will  harm  any 
one  but  herself  with  her  heedlessness ;  but,  poor  girl, 
she  is  covered  with  bruises  and  cuts  from  falls.  Nor 
is  she  entirely  to  blame,  for  the  cabins  are  filled  up 
with  packages  which  Arthur  says  ought  to  be  stowed  in 
the  hold.  We  must,  however,  make  up  our  minds  to 
be  inconvenienced  for  the  short  time  I  trust  we  shall  be 
shut  up  in  this  prison." 

"  That  I  could  do,  my  child,"  answered  he ;  "  but  I 
fear  Markham  is  not  a  man  of  understanding  to  depend 
on  in  emergency.  This  is  a  sea  of  perils,  of  storms 
and  pirates.  What  would  become  of  us  if  any  of 
these  dangers  assailed  us  ?  Arthur,  you  look  disturbed ; 
you  think  with  me,  that  Markham  is  unfit  for  his  situa- 
tion." 

"  Truly,  papa,  I  have  some  doubts  of  him,"  replied 
Arthur.  "I  think  he  must  be  an  experienced  sailor, 
for  he  has  made  this  voyage  many  times ;  and  I  should 
not  have  lost  confidence  in  him,  if  I  had  not  actually 
seen  him  intoxicated.  And  I  fear  he  is  utterly  un- 
principled, for  he  wanted  us  to  join  him  in  his  nightly 
revels.  Now,  Margaret,  if  a  storm  should  come  on  in 
the  night,  I  feel  assured  that  he  would  be  incapable  of 
giving  orders." 

"And  a  pretty  set  of  queer-looking  boys  he  has 
fished  up  at  Melbourne,"  said  Gerald,  "to  man  the 


A   VILLANOUS    LOOKING    CREW.  41 

ugly  ship.      Hugh  and  I  have  marked  our  men,  and 
have  n't  they  rogue  witten  on  their  black  brows ! " 

"  But,  Gerald,  is  it  not  somewhat  unkind  to  form  so 
hasty  a  judgment  ?  "  said  Margaret.  "  These  sailors  are 
strangers ;  why  do  you  class  them  as  rogues  ?  " 

"  Because,  Meggie,"  said  Hugh,  "  Gerald  saw  with 
his  own  eyes  a  lot  of  fellows  in  their  yellow  convict 
dress  brought  up  for  Markham  to  choose  a  crew  from, 
for  all  his  own  men  had  deserted  to  go  to  the  diggings. 
And  we  both  agree  that  he  must  have  picked  out  the 
most  villanous-looking  of  the  lot.  Now,  just  come  up 
with  us,  Meggie,  and  take  a  look  at  the  fellows,  and 
you  shall  hear  what  Jack  says." 

Margaret  went  on  deck  with  her  brothers,  to  walk 
round  the  disorderly  place ;  and,  under  the  pretext  of 
examining  the  various  parts  of  the  ship,  she  carefully 
marked  the  faces  of  the  men  she  encountered,  and 
could  not  deny  that  they  were  not  only  coarse  and 
bold,  but  that  most  of  them  had  the  fierce,  sinister, 
lowering  expression  which  usually  distinguishes  the 
convict.  She  stopped  to  speak  to  Jack,  who  was 
busily  engaged  finishing  a  model  he  had  begun  at 
Melbourne,  of  one  of  the  light-hung,  commodious, 
broad-wheeled  travelling  wagons  Mr.  Deverell  had 
bought  at  that  place. 

"  I  could  easily  make  one  for  you,  Miss  Margaret," 
said  Jack,  "  if  it  were  needed  ;  but  they  tell  me  you  '11 
want  no  wheeled-carriages  yonder.  More  's  the  pity. 
I  wish  master  had  been  persuaded  to  stay  with  Mr. 
Deverell.  I  don't  half  like  this,  for,  oh !  Miss 
Margaret,"  added  he,  looking  around,  "  we  've  got 
among  a  bad  lot" 

4* 


42  RUTH'S  MISFORTUNES. 

"  What  have  we  to  fear,  Jack  ? "  asked  she,  pale 
with  fear. 

"  Don't  be  down-hearted,  miss,"  said  the  lad  ;  "  but  I 
doubt  we  may  have  awkward  work  ;  for  when  Captain 
Markham  is  in  his  cups,  everybody 's  master.  But 
please  God  to  send  us  fair  winds,  we  shall  soon  get 
through  the  voyage." 

"  We  must  pray  for  His  help,  Jack."  said  Margaret ; 
"  and  let  us  avoid  these  men  as  much  as  possible.  You, 
Jack,  as  well  as  my  brothers,  must  remain  below  ; 
better  endure  confinement  than  encounter  wickedness." 

"And  please,  Miss  Margaret,"  continued  Jack, 
"  would  you  ask  Mrs.  Wilson  to  mind  and  keep  Ruth 
close;  for  these  saucy  fellows  amuse  themselves  with 
sending  her  on  some  foolish  errand,  and  getting  her 
into  mischief.  I  had  near  had  a  fight  with  that  big 
brute,  the  mate,  for  pitching  her  over  a  hencoop ;  but 
Wilkins,  that  little  sharp  fellow  at  the  masthead,  got 
me  away." 

Margaret  and  Arthur  had  many  long  and  serious 
conversations  on  their  uncomfortable  position,  particu- 
larly when  their  voyage  was  retarded  by  the  contrary 
winds  of  that  uncertain  sea.  Then  the  family  secluded 
themselves  in  the  two  crowded  cabins  appropriated  to 
their  use,  and  endeavored,  by  prayer  and  regulation  of 
the  mind,  to  prepare  themselves  for  the  dangers  into 
which  such  an  ill-ruled  vessel  might  be  hurried. 

After  a  day  of  great  vexation,  occasioned  by  the 
carelessness  of  Ruth,  who  had,  by  some  mischievous 
device  of  the  sailors,  let  all  the  poultry  loose,  and  had 
been  compelled  by  the  violent  captain  to  hunt  them  up 
from  every  corner  of  the  vessel,  the  girl  had  been  sum- 


ALARM.  43 

moned  before  Margaret  and  Jenny,  to  be  rebuked  for 
her  thoughtless  conduct.  She  wept,  and  promised  to 
improve,  and  was  sent  to  her  berth,  Nurse  declaring 
that  she  had  made  up  her  mind  never  to  lose  sight  of 
her  all  the  next  day.  Then,  after  meeting  for  prayers 
in  Mr.  Mayburn's  cabin,  they  returned,  to  seek  such 
repose  as  their  close,  uncomfortable  berths  afforded. 

It  might  have  been  two  or  three  hours  after  this, 
when  Margaret  awoke  with  a  strange  feeling  of  oppres- 
sion and  fear,  which  she  vainly  attempted  to  shake  off. 
At  length,  she  called  out  from  her  berth,  "  Nurse,  are 
you  awake  ?  Will  you  go  on  deck  with  me  for  a  few 
minutes  ?  I  long  for  the  refreshment  of  the  night  air, 
for  the  cabin  is  more  suffocating  than  usual  to-night. 
Surely  a  storm  must  be  at  hand,  for  the  air  is  posi- 
tively scorching." 

Jenny  yawned  and  murmured,  till  at  length,  becom- 
ing aware  of  the  request  of  her  young  mistress,  she 
scrambled  from  her  awkward  berth;  but  no  sooner 
was  she  on  her  feet,  than,  thoroughly  awakened,  she 
exclaimed,  "  God  have  mercy  on  us !  for  there  must  be 
something  on  fire.  I  smell  and  feel  it  must  be  so  !  " 

Margaret  sprang  up,  trembling  in  every  limb,  but 
firm  in  heart,  to  rush  through  the  door  that  separated 
the  cabins,  and  arouse  her  father  and  brothers.  Jenny, 
in  the  mean  time,  opened  the  outer  door,  and  then  the 
smell  of  burning  wood  was  plainly  perceptible.  While 
Mr.  Mayburn  and  his  sons  hastily  got  ready,  Margaret 
proceeded  to  the  cabin  of  Capt,  Markham,  and  knocked 
loudly  in  her  fright,  crying  out  almost  unconsciously 
as  she  knocked,  "  Fire  !  fire  ! " 

"Who  calls  fire?"  cried  Markham,  with  a  b'tter 
oath.  "Who  dares  to  say  that?"  and  his  head  in- 


44  THE    SHIP    ON    FIRE. 

peared  from  the  cabin  door.  His  voice  was  husky  and 
broken,  and  Margaret  feared  he  was  intoxicated  and 
might  not  comprehend  her,  as  she  rapidly  narrated  her 
observations  and  her  fears.  Deep  and  horrible  were  the 
curses  of  the  wicked  man,  as  he  staggered  forward, 
screaming  and  yelling  for  the  watch.  That  there  was 
any  watch  in  this  disorderly  establishment,  Margaret 
doubted.  She  hurried  back  to  her  father;  and  they 
were  soon  alarmed  by  the  sounds  of  dreadful  curses, 
the  trampling  of  many  feet,  the  ringing  of  bells,  and 
the  cries  of  the  disturbed  and  terrified  sheep.  Arthur 
and  Hugh  were  sent  up  to  ascertain  the  fact  of  danger, 
and  they  found  the  lazy  crew  effectually  roused  to 
action ;  lanterns  were  flying  about  in  different  direc- 
tions ;  and  at  length  the  fatal  cry  was  heard,  "  Fire  in 
the  after-hold!" 


CHAPTER    IV. 

Insubordination  of  the  Sailors.  —  Rapid  Progress  of  the  Fire.  — 
The  Boats  lowered.  —  Ruth's  Prize.  — A  Man  saved. —Black 
Peter.  —  The  Adventure  of  a  Reprobate  Crew.  —  A  Dangerous 
Comrade. 

THEN  the  harsh  voice  of  Markham  was  heard  pour- 
ing out  orders,  loud,  but  almost  inarticulate  with  rage 
and  drunkenness ;  while,  regardless  of  his  awful  situa- 
tion, with  fearful  blasphemy  he  imprecated  curses  on 
the  negligence  which  had  caused  the  accident,  and  on 
the  tardiness  of  action  among  his  insubordinate  crew. 
At  length  the  fire-engine  was  got  to  work ;  lengths  of 
leather  hose  were  stretched  down  to  the  burning  hold ; 
buckets  were  rapidly  passed  from  hand  to  hand;  and 
the  splashing  of  water  was  followed  by  the  hissing  of 
the  flames. 

The  four  young  men  joined  the  sailors  and  worked 
manfully  at  the  engine  or  with  buckets,  while  Mr. 
Mayburn,  alternately  trembling,  weeping,  and  despair- 
ing, and  then,  in  earnest  prayer,,  regaining  his  firmness 
and  resignation,  occupied  the  care  and  attention  of 
Margaret  almost  entirely.  Jenny,  with  practical  good 
sense,  was  collecting  the  most  valuable  part  of  their 
property. 

"  If  we  be  not  burnt  to  death  first,  Miss  Marget,"  she 
said ;  "  Jack  tells  me  we  shall  be  took  off  in  boats,  God 
help  us !  so  it 's  time  to  be  making  ready.  Come,  lass ! " 
to  Ruth,  "  and  tie  this  bag.  What  ails  ye,  you  simple- 
ton ?  What  are  you  staring  round  in  that  fashion  for  ?  " 

(45) 


46  THE    CULPRIT. 

Ruth  was  gazing  about  with  a  wild  expression  of 
terror  in  her  eyes,  and,  unmindful  of  the  injunctions 
of  Mrs.  Wilson,  she  suddenly  threw  down  the  bag,  and 
fell  on  her  knees  before  Mr.  Mayburn,  crying  out,  "Ah, 
master,  will  they  hang  me?  I  didn't  think  it  would 
burn  us  all  alive  !  I  could  n't  find  it  again,  try  all  I 
would." 

"  Unfortunate  girl,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  "  have  you 
lost  your  senses,  or  what  have  you  done  ?  Speak  the 
truth." 

"  I  will  tell  truth,  master,"  sobbed  the  girl.  "  It  was 
when  I  were  lating  up  them  bonnie  chickens  as  had  got 
out,  and  big  Peter  tied  a  rope  across  in  yon  passage  for 
me  to  tummel  ower,  and  I  rolled  down  t'  ladder  into 
that  big,  dark  place  where  they  keep  great  bales  and 
barrels,  and  all  manners  of  things ;  my  lantern  was 
broken  and  my  candle  was  lost.  I  got  mysel'  gathered 
up,  arid  I  groped  about  for  t'  candle,  but  I  could  n't  find 
it,  and  I  got  sadly  flayed  in  that  dark  hole,  so  I  climbed 
up  and  said  nought  to  nobody;  but,  oh,  master,  I 
could  n't  get  to  sleep,  for  it  came  into  my  head,  may  be 
my  candle  might  have  set  some  of  them  bundles  in  a 
low,  and  we  might  all  be  burned  in  our  beds,  and  me 
not  saying  a  word  alik£,  for  fear." 

"  God  forgive  you,  Ruth,"  said  her  master.  "  Pray 
for  mercy  ;  and  if  it  please  Him  to  save  us  in  this 
fearful  hour  of  peril,  never  forget  the  misery  and  de- 
struction your  carelessness  has  caused." 

The  penitent  and  affrighted  girl  shook  in  every  limb, 
and  Margaret  kindly  soothed  and  prayed  with  her  till 
she  calmed  her  agitation.  Then  the  young  and  thought- 
ful daughter  said,  — 

"  Papa,  we  must  not  remain  inclosed  in   this  suffo- 


THE    SCENE    ON    DECK.  47 

eating  cabin.  Let  us  go  on  deck,  and  if  no  other  hope 
remains,  we  will  demand  a  boat,  that  we  may  escape 
from  a  horrible  death." 

"  Lead  the  way,  my  child,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  "  and 
I  will  follow  you,  as  I  ever  do ;  for  I  feel  utterly  help- 
less alone." 

They  proceeded  to  the  deck,  followed  by  Jenny  and 
Ruth  loaded  with  packages;  and  when  they  reached 
the  scene  of  terror  and  confusion,  they  were  embar- 
rassed among  piles  of  boxes,  barrels,  and  bales,  which 
were  continually  drawn  up  from  below,  the  bales  which 
were  blazing  being  immediately  thrown  overboard. 

By  the  light  of  the  torches,  Margaret  discovered 
among  the  throng  her  young  brothers,  busily  em- 
ployed in  hauling  ropes  and  carrying  buckets  ;  they 
were  heated  with  exertion  and  blackened  with  smoke. 
O'Brien  had  even  got  his  hair  singed  with  the  flames. 
Still  untired,  they  would  have  continued  their  efforts, 
but  all  seemed  ineffectual,  from  the  total  want  of  sub- 
ordination and  unanimity  among  the  sailors.  Mr.  May- 
burn  walked  up  to  Captain  Markham,  who  stood  aloof 
from  the  rest,  in  a  perfect  s  ate  of  frenzy,  from  fear, 
anger,  and  intoxication.  He  continued  to  shout  aloud 
contradictory  and  absurd  orders,  which  were  utterly 
unheeded  by  the  lawless  crew;  each  man  doing  what 
he  chose,  and  nothing  being  done  effectually. 

"The  fire  is  certainly  progressing,  Captain  Mark- 
ham,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn.  "  Let  me  entreat  you  to 
issue  orders  for  some  means  of  providing  for  the  safety 
of  so  many  human  beings  all  unfit  for  death.  We,  who 
are  your  passengers,  demand  the  means  of  escape." 

With  a  fearful  oath,  the  wretch  said  his  passengers 
might  care  for  themselves ;  he  had  enough  to  do  to  save 


48  LOWERING    THE    BOATS. 

his  ship ;  and  save  it  he  would,  if  it  cost  him  half  the 
crew. 

"  I  '11  pitch  the  dogs  into  the  fire,"  said  he,  "  if  they 
do  not  soon  extinguish  it ;  and  not  a  man  shall  leave 
the  Golden  Fairy  living." 

"  There  's  not  many  will  do  that,"  cried  the  auda- 
cious mate,  "  if  they  do  not  look  sharp.  The  fire  has 
just  reached  the  tallow  hogsheads,  man,  and  where  will 
your  ship  be  then  ?  Come  along,  lads,  we  can  do  no 
more  ;  so  let  every  fellow  lay  his  hands  on  what  he 
likes  best,  and  lower  the  boats  now  or  never." 

The  call  was  readily  responded  to,  in  spite  of  the 
threats  of  the  infuriated  captain ;  and  though  the  flames 
were  now  heard  roaring  below,  and  were  even  visible 
in  some  parts,  the  after-deck  was  still  uninjured ;  and 
from  thence  the  boats  were  lowered.  Arthur  and  Jack 
went  up  to  the  men  to  request  that  a  boat,  or  at  all 
events  seats  in  one  of  the  boats,  might  be  given  to 
their  party,  who  would  be  willing  to  reward  the  men 
for  any  trouble  they  occasioned.  The  insolent  mate, 
who  seemed  to  have  assumed  the  command  of  the  rest, 
laughed  at  the  request. 

"  Charity  begins  at  home  !  "  cried  he.  "  We  have  no 
places  to  spare.  Come  on,  my  lads !  lower  the  biscuit 
and  the  brandy  casks.  I  '11  manage  the  strong  box. 
Out  of  my  way,  gentry.  If  you  say  another  word 
we  '11  pitch  you  all  into  the  sea  —  men  and  women. 

"  There  's  no  hope  of  our  getting  a  boat  to  ourselves, 
Mr.  Arthur,"  said  Jack,  "  for  they  're  all  afloat  now, 
and  they'll  soon  have  them  off;  so  I  would  say,  if 
you  'd  help  a  bit,  we  should  set  about  getting  up  a 
raft  as  fast  as  we  can  —  here  are  plenty  of  spare  spars 
about." 


THE    RAFT.  49 

When  Markham  saw  the  men  preparing  to  forsake 
the  vessel,  he  became  more  furious  than  ever,  and  seiz- 
ing the  mate  by  the  collar,  he  swore  he  wtiuld  have  him 
put  in  irons.  But  his  attempts  were  useless  against 
the  powerful  villain,  who  flung  him  on  one  side  like 
a  noxious  reptile  ;  and  the  rest  of  the  remorseless 
wretches,  to  rid  themselves  at  once  of  the  opposition 
of  the  violent  drunkard,  hurled  him  down  into  the 
flames,  which  were  already  bursting  through  the  crevi- 
ces of  the  deck. 

"  I  can't  stand  that,"  cried  Wilkins,  one  of  the  sail- 
ors, coming  up  to  Jack ;  "  I'se  not  the  chap  to  turn 
my  back  on  my  comrades ;  but  I  've  never  committed 
wilful  murder,  and  I  '11  just  cut  away  from  a  gang  of 
such  deep-dyed  rogues,  and  join  ye,  my  honest  fellow. 
Come,  I  'se  ready  to  lend  a  hand." 

A  helping  hand  was  truly  desirable  in  their  extrem- 
ity of  distress  ;  but  Mr.  Mayburn  shrank  from  the 
fierce,  rough  aspect  of  the  convict  sailor,  and  besought 
Arthur,  in  a  low  tone,  to  reject  any  association  with 
crime  and  infamy. 

u  Be  satisfied,  my  dear  father,"  answered  he,  u  I  will 
do  nothing  unadvisedly ;  but  if  this  man  shrinks  from 
evil  and  turns  to  good,  how  shall  we  excuse  ourselves 
if  we  force  him  back  to  destruction  ?  Besides,  it  is 
now  too  late ;  see,  the  first  boat  has  already  deserted 
the  ship." 

With  loud  cheers,  the  most  daring  of  the  crew  headed 
by  the  mate,  rowed  off  in  the  long  boat,  and  were  soon 
lost  in  the  darkness  that  shrouded  all  except  the  fearful 
space  around  the  burning  ship.  The  second  boat  fol- 
lowed, the  hardened  men  turning  a  deaf  ear  to  the  en- 
treaties of  the  passengers  whom  they  had  abandoned  on 
5 


50  THE  PASSENGERS'  RAFT. 

the  wreck.  They  refused  even  to  aid  them  in  lowering 
their  hastily-constructed  and  unsafe  raft,  but  laughed 
and  sneered  at  the  rude  workmanship. 

But  the  flames,  fed  by  the  hogsheads  of  tallow  in  the 
hold,  now  blazed  up  through  the  cabin  windows,  and 
bursting  through  the  decks,  ran  along  with  fatal  rapid- 
ity, momentarily  threatening  the  distressed  family  with 
a  dreadful  fate.  It  was  now  that  the  cool  prudence  and 
skill  of  their  faithful  friend  Jack  rescued  them.  His 
observing  eye  had  noted  the  means  adopted  by  the  sail- 
ors ;  he  had  tools  and  appliances ;  he  arranged  and 
divided  the  labor,  of  which  even  the  women  had  their 
share  ;  and  the  rude  raft  was  at  length  successfully 
lowered.  A  few  necessaries  were  hastily  thrown  upon 
it,  including  a  cask  of  biscuit  and  one  of  water,  which 
Wilkins  at  great  hazard  had  obtained ;  he  had  also 
brought  up  a  small  barrel  of  rum,  but  Arthur  peremp- 
torily refused  to  take  it,  and,  to  end  all  discussion,  flung 
it  into  the  sea,  and  firmly  told  Wilkins,  he  would  rather 
leave  him  to  perish  on  the  burning  ship,  than  carry  him 
away  with  such  a  temptation  to  evil. 

The  man  grumbled  unavailingly,  but  at  last  returned 
to  his  duty.  Nothing  more  could  be  secured,  except  a 
few  ropes,  and  spars,  with  some  tools  to  repair  the  raft. 
Then  a  spare  sail  was  cast  over  the  stowage,  and,  one 
after  another,  Mr.  Mayburn  and  the  trembling  women 
were  let  down;  the  active  boys  quickly  followed. 
Jack  and  Wilkins  were  the  last  to  descend  from  their 
perilous  position,  where  they  had  been  so  surrounded  by 
the  flames,  now  crawling  up  the  masts,  that  Margaret 
dreaded  every  moment  they  should  fall  victims;  but 
they  happily  alighted  on  the  lumbering  raft  in  safety. 
Then  oars  were  taken  up,  and  no  time  was  lost  in  push- 


THE    CATASTROPHE.  51 

ing  off  as  far  as  possible  from  the  ill-fated  Golden 
Fairy  ;  nor  did  they  pause  even  to  look  round  till  they 
were  at  a  safe  distance,  when  they  stood  off  for  a  few 
minutes  to  contemplate  the  splendid  and  frightful  spec- 
tacle. 

Wilkins  now  confessed  to  them  that  there  were  some 
barrels  of  gunpowder  concealed  in  the  vessel,  which 
the  reckless  sailors  had  smuggled  from  Melbourne  for 
their  own  purposes  ;  for  it  had  been  their  fixed  intention, 
at  a  favorable  opportunity,  to  murder  the  captain  and 
passengers,  or  land  them  on  some  desert  island ;  and  to 
take  possession  of  the  ship  for  piratical  enterprises  in 
the  Indian  Ocean.  The  knowledge  that  this  powder 
was  in  the  ship  had  hastened  their  flight  from  the  cer- 
tain consequences,  and  Wilkins  was  surprised  that  the 
catastrophe  had  been  so  long  averted.  But  now,  as 
they  watched  the  blackened  ribs  of  the  vessel,  through 
which  the  intense  flame  glowed,  while  clouds  of  smoke, 
myriads  of  sparks,  and  burning  flakes,  rose  from  the 
wreck,  a  loud  explosion  almost  deafened  them ;  another 
and  another  succeeded ;  then  blazed  up  a  mass  of  flame, 
which  seemed  to  rise  to  the  very  clouds  for  a  few 
minutes,  followed  by  utter  darkness  and  silence. 

"  May  God,  in  his  infinite  mercy,  still  preserve  the 
weak  creatures  he  has  so  miraculously  delivered,"  said 
Mr.  Mayburn,  devoutly.  "  We  were  face  to  face  with 
death,  and  never,  my  children,  can  the  crackling,  roar- 
ing sound  of  that  fierce  and  unconquerable  conflagration 
fade  from  my  recollection.  We  had  not  the  consolation 
of  the  martyrs  who  suffered  for  the  faith,  and  \vl,o 
could  look  on  the  flames  as  the  brief  path  to  eternal 
glory.  We  were  summoned  in  the  midst  of  life's  cares 


52  THE    HORROR    OF    DARKNESS. 

and  frailties,  unwillingly,  fearfully,  to  be  dragged  to 
doom ;  and  He  spared  us,  that  we  might  better  prepare 
to  appear  before  His  tribunal.  Blessed  forever  be  His 
holy  name ! " 

Solemnly  and  earnestly  rose  the  Amen  from  the 
rescued.  Even  the  hardened  convict  lowered  his  voice 
as  he  said,  with  levity,  to  Jack,  "  That  was  a  canny  bit 
prayer  ;  will  'it  help  us  ony,  think  ye  ?  " 

"Yes,  Wilkins,"  said  Jack,  "I  do  believe  that  God 
never  fails  to  help  them  who  pray  to  Him.  And  some 
day,  my  man,  you  will  be  glad  to  believe  it  too." 

Wilkins  said  no  more,  but  he  often  remembered  the 
new,  strange  words  he  had  heard  poured  out  amidst 
that  horror  of  darkness. 

"  Now,  Captain  Arthur,"  cried  out  Hugh,  "  please  to 
say  where  we  are,  and  whither  we  are  to  go  ?  " 

"  I  wish  I  could  determine  where  we  are,"  answered 
Arthur;  "but  we  have  been  so  tossed  about  for  the 
last  two  days,  that  I  have  no  idea  of  our  position. 
Certainly  we  are  out  of  our  regular  course." 

"  If  Bully  Dan  were  right,"  said  Wilkins,  "  we  ought 
to  be  now  a  good  bit  north  of  Swan  River,  and  among 
islands  and  reefs  puzzling  enough  at  noonday ;  and  in 
this  black  darkness  it's  odd  that  we  ever  see  land  again. 
If  any  on  ye  had  thought  of  an  anchor,  we  might  have 
laid  off  till  day." 

There  was  nothing  but  patience  and  resignation  for 
the  voyagers.  The  sea  was  less  agitated  than  it  had 
been  during  the  day,  and  they  drifted  steadily  over  the 
waves  ;  but  in  what  direction  they  could  not  determine ; 
for  such  was  the  confusion  of  their  embarkation,  and 
such  the  darkness  that  enveloped  them,  that  no  one 


RUTH'S  PRIZE.  53 

could  pronounce  from  what  point  the  wind  was  blow- 
ing. 

"  What  is  that  fluttering  sound  I  hear  ?  "  asked  Mr. 
Mayburn,  in  a  voice  of  alarm. 

A  moment's  silence  followed,  then  every  one  distinctly 
heard  the  fluttering.  At  length  Ruth  said,  "Oh!  if 
you  please,  master,  it  was  only  me.  I  could  n't  bide 
that  they  should  be  burned  alive,  bonnie  things ;  it  were 
not  their  fault !  It 's  them  bits  of  chickens  as  I  were 
hunting  up  when  all  this  bad  work  were  done  —  God 
forgive  me  !  —  and  I  gathered  them  into  a  basket ;  and 
if  ye  please,  Miss  Marget,  dinnot  let  them  be  eaten, 
they  're  so  bonnie." 

Margaret  readily  granted  the  noisy  little  prisoners 
their  life,  and  applauded  the  humanity  of  Ruth,  whose 
struggles  to  keep  her  restless  charge  in  order  created 
some  mirth,  and  diverted  them  for  a  time  from  the 
contemplation  of  their  own  troubles. 

But  another  sound  was  now  heard  above  the  monot- 
onous rumbling  of  the  unquiet  ocean.  It  was  surely, 
they  thought,  a  human  cry!  It  was  again  repeated; 
and  Wilkins  said  very  coolly,  "It'll  be  some  of  our 
chaps.  Like  enough  they'll  have  capsized  yon  big 
crazy  boat.  They  'd  a  keg  of  brandy  to  fight  about ;  and 
I  '11  be  bound  they  'd  never  settle  as  long  as  there  were 
a  drop  left  in  V 

"  Can  we  not  show  them  a  light  ? "  said  Mr.  May 
burn :  "  that  was  a  cry  of  distress,  and  humanity  calls 
on  us  to  aid  them." 

'  There 's  no  room  here  for  any  more  hands,"  mut- 
tered Wilkins.  "Drunken  rogues!  they'd  kick  these 
few  shaking  clogs  to  bits  in  no  time :  and  then  where 
are  we  ?  " 


51  BLACK    PETER. 

"Nevertheless,  Margaret,  we  must  do  our  duty. 
Arthur,  what  do  you  say?"  asked  Mr.  Mayburn 
anxiously. 

A  loud  and  dismal  scream,  at  no  great  distance,  deci- 
ded the  question  without  further  discussion.  Gerald 
produced  a  match-box ;  and  though  the  wind  had  got 
up  rather  boisterously,  they  succeeded  in  lighting  and 
displaying  a  long  splinter  of  wood.  Then  a  voice  was 
heard  to  cry,  "  Help  !  help  ! "  and  Wilkins,  with  a  sup- 
pressed curse,  said,  "It's  that  desp'rate  rogue,  Black 
Peter,  and  no  mistake.  Better  let  him  drown,  I  tell  ye, 
comrades ;  but  I  've  heared  'em  say,  water  won't  haud 
him.  They  're  all  alike  bad  dogs  to  let  loose  among  us ; 
they  've  guns  and  powder,  and  they  're  up  to  ony  sort  of 
bloody  work." 

Mr.  Mayburn  groaned  at  this  speech,  and  said, 
"  What  shall  we  do,  Arthur  ?  —  we  are  wholly  defence- 
less against  those  bad  men." 

"  Do  n't  you  think  of  that,  sir,"  said  O'Brien  ;  "  Hugh 
and  I  looked  after  that.  We  brought  off  a  pair  of 
first-rate  rifles,  with  lots  of  powder  and  shot.  We  are 
the  boys  to  manage  the  defences.  We  left  the  nautical 
matters  to  our  captain,  Arthur;  Jack  sought  up  the 
spars  and  hammers,  and  such  matters ;  and  Margaret 
did  the  commissariat  Division  of  labor,  you  see,  sir  — 
all  regular." 

"I  did  not  think  your  giddy  brain  could  have  ar- 
ranged so  well,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn :  "  I  am  ashamed  to 
say  I  have  not  been  so  thoughtful." 

"  No,  no,  papa,"  said  Hugh ;  "  Gerald  is  taking  more 
credit  than  is  due  to  us.  It  was  Margaret  who  arranged 
what  each  should  do,  and  allowed  us  to  add  to  our  duties 
as  we  chose ;  in  consequence  of  which,  you  see,  Gerald 


A    MAN    SAVED.  55 

and  I  thought  of  destroying  life,  and  Ruth  of  preserv- 
ing it." 

While  thus  talking,  the  young  rowers  had  been  en- 
deavoring laboriously  to  force  the  heavy  raft,  against 
the  wind,  towards  the  spot  from  whence  the  cries 
seemed  to  proceed.  The  darkness  was  so  intense  that 
it  was  in  vain  the  eye  sought  to  penetrate  it ;  but  the 
cry,  still  heard  at  intervals,  seemed  to  approach  nearer, 
probably  directed  by  the  light.  Still  it  was  not  without 
an  involuntary  shudder,  and  a  half-uttered  shriek,  that 
they  felt  and  saw  a  hand  grasp  the  raft,  and  heard  a 
hoarse  voice  demand  help.  This  was  immediately 
given ;  Arthur  and  Jack,  with  much  difficulty,  drew 
upon  the  raft  the  almost  lifeless  form  of  a  tall,  power- 
ful man,  who  lay  gasping  many  minutes  before  he  was 
able  to  reply  to  the  anxious  inquiries  of  his  preservers 
if  any  of  his  companions  yet  survived. 

"  Every  rogue  among  'em  gone  to  his  reckoning," 
said  he,  with  a  diabolical  laugh.  "  A  good  riddance ! 
If  we  'd  only  saved  the  gold  and  the  brandy !  But 
hand  me  a  sup  of  something,  good  folks." 

"  We  have  nothing  but  water,"  said  Arthur  gravely. 

The  man  made  a  wry  face,  and  said,  "I've  had 
more  nor  enough  of  that.  Well,  then,  what  are  ye 
bound  after  in  this  queer  craft  ?  It  '11  not  stand  much 
weather,  I  take  it.  And,"  with  an  oath,  "  Wilkins,  man, 
how  came  you  to  drop  in  among  these  saints  ?  " 

Wilkins  gave  the  man  a  fiery  glance,  as  he  answered, 
"  It  were  a  bit  safer  to-night  among  saints  nor  amang 
sinners,  it 's  like ;  and  I  guess  ye  were  thinking  so  a  bit 
sin'  yersel'." 

"  Never  heed  that  that 's  gone,  man,"  said  the  careless 
villain  :  "  I  'm  in  as  good  a  place  as  they  are  now." 


56  THE  EFFECTS  OF  BRANDY. 

"Ay,  Peter,"  said  Wilkins,  "it's  all  true  as  how 
neither  fire  nor  water  will  touch  thee.  We'se  see 
what  thou  was  born  to." 

"Keep  a  civil  tongue  in  thy  head,"  replied  Peter, 
"for  thou  and  me  must  chum  together,  and  see  what 
we  caji  pick  up." 

"What  was  the  cause  of  your  accident,  unhappy 
man?"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  coming  up  to  him. 

"  None  so  unhappy  now,"  answered  the  surly  fellow ; 
"  better  off  nor  I  have  been  for  a  few  years  past,  if  it 
were  not  for  want  of  brandy.  I'se  free  and  idle,  and 
can  have  plenty  of  grub,  I  reckon,"  looking  at  the  casks  ; 
"  so  I'se  do  now.  We  might  have  kept  together ;  but, 
ye  see,  we  began  ower  soon  with  our  brandy,  and  had 
only  one  drinking-cup  among  us,  and  everybody  wanted 
it  first ;  and  so  we  chaps  got  to  words,  and  then  to  hard 
hits,  and  then  out  came  our  knives.  We  were  badly 
crowded ;  and,  somehow,  in  our  scrimmage,  we  all  fell 
atop  of  one  another,  and  capsized  our  boat,  and  away 
we  all  went  down.  Then,  when  we  came  up,  such  curs- 
ing and  yelling  never  was  heard  on  earth  or  sea,  and, 
dark  as  it  was,  none  could  catch  hold  on  aught  to  save 
him.  It  was  soon  settled,  however ;  for  all  our  chaps 
were  over  far  gone  in  drink  to  help  themselves,  and 
they  went  down,  shouting  out,  one  after  another.  I  had 
the  luck  to  catch  hold  of  the  brandy-keg,  and  I  took 
care  to  keep  hold ;  but  I  could  not  stop  it  from  leaking, 
and  it  vexed  me  sore  that  so  much  good  liquor  should 
be  made  into  salt-water  grog,  and  no  time  to  get  a  sup. 
I  shouted  as  loud  as  I  could,  and  let  myself  float,  till  I 
got  sight  of  your  signal,  and  then  I  thought  there  was 
a  bit  of  a  chance ;  so  I  managed  to  swim  a  few  strokes, 
keeping  one  hand  on  my  barrel ;  but  I  made  little  way, 


THE    REPROBATE.  57 

if  the  sea  and  the  wind  had  n't  brought  me  right  up  to 
you.  When  my  barrel  bumped  again  the  raft,  I  lost 
hold,  and  I  hardly  know  how  it  was  I  clutched  the 
spars ;  but  here  I  be  snug  and  safe  in  harbor." 

"Thank  God  for  your  preservation,  reckless  man," 
said  Mr.  Mayburn.  "  He,  who  is  all  mercy  to  His  sin- 
ful creatures,  has  granted  you  a  respite,  that  you  may 
learn  to  know  and  serve  Him.  Cast  not  away  the 
precious  boon,  but  in  this  awful  hour,  turn  to  Him, 
repent,  and  pray." 

The  good  man  kneeled  down  beside  the  reprobate, 
and  offered  up  an  earnest  prayer  for  the  wretched  sin- 
ner, who  was  sound  asleep  before  Mr.  Mayburn  had 
concluded ;  and  it  was  with  a  sigh  he  turned  from  the 
man,  sorrowful,  but  not  hopeless. 


CHAPTER   V. 

Afloat  on  an  Unknown  Sea.  —  The  insubordinate  Sailor, —  The 
Coral  Reefs.  —  An  Island  in  view.  —  The  Perilous  Landing.  — 
Peter's  Rebellion.  —  The  First  Night  on  Shore.  —  Ruth  among 
the  Crockery.  —  A  valuable  Prize.  —  The  March  from  the  First 
Encampment. 

As  the  morning  light  dawned  on  the  distressed  voy- 
agers, they  became  aware  of  their  perilous  situation. 
Around  them  lay  the  wide  restless  ocean,  now  agitated 
by  a  south-west  wind,  which  drove  them  onward,  washed 
and  drenched  by  the  waves,  which  threatened  destruc- 
tion to  their  frail  vessel,  in  the  midst  of  which  the  little 
knot  of  united  friends  were  now  gathered,  their  unwel- 
come guest  still  lying  asleep  apart  from  them.  As  soon 
as  the  light  permitted  him,  Jack  began  steadily  and 
carefully  to  repair  and  strengthen  the  raft.  The  spare 
spars  he  now  lashed  round  to  form  a  sort  of  gunwale, 
to  protect  them  from  the  spray ;  and  after  taking  out  a 
supply  of  biscuit  for  use,  he  nailed  over  the  whole  of 
the  packages  the  large  sail  they  had  brought  away,  to 
steady  and  preserve  them  from  any  injury  from  the 
waves. 

The  man  they  had  rescued  from  death  now  a\roke, 
and  joined  the  rest :  he  was  a  tall,  powerful,  savage- 
looking  man,  still  wearing  the  convict  uniform,  so  offen- 
sive to  the  taste  of  the  civilized ;  and  his  manners  were 
rude  and  insolent. 

"  Have  you  no  better  prog  than  this  poor  stuif  ?  " 
said  he,  as  his  portion  of  biscuit  and  cup  of  water  were 


CAPTAIN   ARTHUR.  59 

offered  to  him.  "  The  Queen  allows  us  better  rations 
nor  this,  after  your  grand  laws  have  made  us  out  to  be 
rogues." 

"  You  fare  as  we  do,"  answered  Arthur,  mildly.  "As 
long  as  we  have  biscuit,  you  are  welcome  to  share  it. 
We  make  no  distinctions  in  our  common  distress." 

"  You  were  a  pack  of  fools,"  said  the  man,  "  not  to 
bring  away  something  worth  freightage,  when  you  had 
space  enough.  Had  you  sense  to  fetch  a  compass  ?  " 

"  We  had  no  opportunity  to  secure  chart  or  compass," 
replied  Arthur.  "  Besides,  we  were  too  thankful  for 
the  means  God  gave  us  to  save  our  lives,  to  have  many 
thoughts  or  cares  about  where  we  should  go.  We  are 
in  His  hands,  and  I  trust,  by  his  mercy,  may  reach 
some  safe  harbor." 

"  It 's  as  well  to  tell  you  beforehand,"  said  the  sailor, 
"  that  you  M  better  not  get  it  into  your  heads  that  you 
are  going  to  give  me  up  to  hard  labor  and  irons  again. 
Wherever  I  set  my  foot  on  land  I  mean  to  be  my  own 
master,  and  the  first  among  you  that  peaches  on  me 
shall  rue  it."  Here  the  man  drew  from  his  breast  a 
brace  of  pistols,  and  added,  — "  You  see  I  managed  to 
keep  my  barkers  safe.  What  would  you  say,  man,  to 
a  ball  right  through  your  ugly  head  ? "  —  and  he  pre- 
sented the  muzzle  of  the  pistol  to  Wilkins,  who  shrank 
behind  Arthur. 

"  You  must  mean  that  threat  for  a  jest,  Peter,"  said 
Arthur,  in  a  tone  of  displeasure.  "  If  you  are  in  ear- 
nest, I  can  only  remind  you  that  we  also  have  arms.  I 
am  commander  here,  and  the  first  man  on  the  raft  that 
shows  any  signs  of  insubordination,  I  shall  certainly 
shoot  dead." 

Peter  stared  scornfully  and  vindictively  at  Arthur 


60  ISLANDS    IN    SIGIIT. 

but  seeing  his  unmoved  countenance,  he  turned  off  with 
a  sort  of  laugh,  and  withdrew  to  the  stern  of  the  raft. 

"  What  a  capital  fellow  Arty  is,  Hugh  ! "  whispered 
Gerald.  "  See  how  he  has  cowed  that  huge  bully. 
Are  we  not  proud  of  our  captain  ?  " 

Towards  noon  the  heat  of  the  sun  became  excessive, 
and  was  most  distressing  to  the  voyagers  exposed  to 
its  beams ;  Margaret  and  her  father  especially  suffered 
from  it,  till  Jack  contrived  an  ingenious  canopy  for 
them  by  raising  some  spars,  over  which  he  spread  the 
boat-cloaks,  which  the  boys  had  fortunately  worn  to 
protect  them  from  the  flames  in  the  burning  ship.  As 
evening  came  on,  the  wind  increased  alarmingly,  and 
they  looked  round  anxiously  to  obtain  some  idea  of 
their  position,  till  at  last  Wilkins  pointed  out  some 
hazy  dots  on  the  wide  ocean  desert,  which  he  pro- 
nounced to  be  small  islands. 

"  O  Arthur,"  said  Margaret,  "  if  it  be  possible,  let 
us  land  on  an  island ;  I  long  to  feel  my  feet  on  firm 
ground.  Have  you  any  idea  what  islands  these  are  ?  " 

"  I  ken  'em,"  said  Wilkins,  "  and  can  tell  ye  they  're 
all  alike  quite  dissolute." 

"Then  I  pray,  Arthur,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  "that 
we  may  avoid  them.  We  had  better  continue  to  float 
on  the  solitude  of  the  ocean,  than  seek  the  haunts  of 
the  wicked." 

The  boys  laughed  ;  they  understood  better  than  their 
father  the  peculiarities  of  Wilkins's  language,  and  Ar- 
thur said,  —  "I  have  read,  papa,  that  these  north-west- 
ern islands  of  Australia  are  generally  small,  barren, 
and  uninhabited.  If  we  could  safely  land  on  one  of 
them,  it  would  be  desirable,  that  we  might  rest  and 
improve  our  raft  before  we  sought  the  mainland  ;  but 


THE    CORAL    REEKS.  61 

I  fear  they  will  be  difficult  of  approach,  from  the  coral 
reefs  that  surround  them." 

"  Which  I  long  to  behold,  Arthur,"  said  Mr.  May- 
burn  ;  "  and  I  beseech  you  to  endeavor  to  reach  one 
of  these  reefs.  I  have  ever  desired  to  look  upon  the 
work  of  those  toiling,  wonderful  insects  ;  minute  agents 
of  the  Omniscient  for  mighty  purposes,  laboring  inces- 
santly to  carry  out  the  plans  of  creative  wisdom. 

'  As  the  kings  of  the  cloud-crowned  pyramid 
Their  noteless  bones  in  oblivion  hid, 
They  slumber  unmarked  'mid  the  desolate  main, 
While  the  wonder  and  pride  of  their  works  remain.'  " 

Wilkins  stared  at  the  enthusiastic  naturalist,  and,  turn- 
ing to  Arthur,  said,  "  Does  he  want  us  to  land  among 
them  reefs,  think  ye  ?  A  borfnie  clash  we  should  have 
with  this  log  float.  If  we  'd  had  a  few  of  them  bark 
boats  as  them  black  fellows  has  up  country,  we  might 
have  made  a  shift ;  but,  ye  see,"  indicating  the  fair  sex 
by  a  finger  pointed  towards  them,  "  they  'd  make  no 
hand  of  swimming  among  breakers." 

"  Indeed,  they  would  not,"  answered  Arthur ;  "  we 
must  contrive  some  safer  method  for  them,  Wilkins. 
But  if  we  could,  by  using  our  oars,  draw  near  to  these 
isles,  I  should  like  to  inspect  them." 

"  Ye    cannot   suspect   'em,   sir,"   answered  Wilkins, 
"  without  ye  were   right  atop  on  'em.     Why,  they  're 
all  dry  and  bare,  and  clear  of  aught  but  a  few  birds 
but  I  'se  willing  to  use  an  oar,  if  ye  'd  like  to  see  'em." 

It  was  hard  work  rowing  that  heavy  raft,  and  the 
ungrateful  Peter  refused  to  assist,  but  sat  apart,  smok- 
ing cigars,  of  which,  it  appeared,  he  had  contrived  to 
bring  a  box  about  his  person;  still  before  night  they 
6 


62  SWIMMING   TO    THE    REEFS 

had  approached  within  a  mile  of  a  rocky  island.  Then 
the  sudden  darkness  of  a  tropical  region  surprised 
them,  and  compelled  them  to  wait  for  day,  uneasy  at 
the  dangerous  proximity  of  the  coast,  towards  which, 
Wilkins  pointed  out,  a  current  seemed  to  be  urging 
them. 

"  We  must  have  all  hands  at  work,  captain,"  said  he, 
"  to  keep  off  them  ugly  rocks.  Come,  Peter,  man, 
take  up  an  oar." 

"  Not  I,"  said  the  savage,  "  I  'se  take  a  snooze  ;  and 
when  we're  drifted  a  bit  nigher  hand,  rouse  me  up,  and 
I  '11  make  a  swim  to  shore.  I  've  no  mind  for  another 
capsize." 

It  was  a  service  of  toil  and  danger,  and  the  active 
young  men  plied  the  oars  vigorously  for  hours,  trusting 
they  were  standing  safely  off  the  dangerous  reefs,  till 
at  last,  worn  out  with  fatigue,  one  after  another  they 
dropped  asleep. 

Jack  and  Wilkins  held  out  till  a  pale  light  showed 
them  breakers  close  at  hand,  and  they  felt  the  current 
carrying  them  into  the  danger.  It  was  a  moment  of 
deep  anxiety.  "  See,"  said  Wilkins,  "  yon  uncovered 
reef — let's  try  to  get  a  bit  nigher  to  it;  then  we'll 
knot  a  rope  to  our  raft,  and  I  '11  swim  off  and  find  a 
way  to  moor  it.  If  three  on  us  were  atop  on  yon  reef 
we  might  haul  up  t'  rest  on  'em." 

All  the  youths  were  now  roused,  and  anxious  to 
share  this  service  of  peril,  for  all  could  swim  :  but 
Wilkins  was  strong,  and  the  most  experienced ;  so 
while  he  tied  one  end  of  the  rope  round  him,  Arthur 
and  Jack  secured  the  other  end  to  the  raft,  and  then 
they  continued  to  hold  off  against  the  current  as  they 
watched  the  bold  swimmer  till  they  saw  him  standing 


PETER'S  MEETING.  63 

safely  on  the  dry  reef.  In  five  minutes  more  they  felt, 
by  the  strain,  that  the  rope  was  fast  to  the  rock.  Then 
Arthur  went  off  with  a  second  rope,  secured  from  dan- 
ger by  having  the  first  to  hold  by  if  necessary.  When 
he  reached  Will,  he  found  the  reef  was  broader  and 
safer  than  he  had  dared  to  hope,  while  beyond  it  the 
water  was  not  more  than  a  foot  deep  to  a  shingly  beach. 

"  If  we  had  'em  all  here,  ye  see,"  said  Wilkins,  "  they 
could  easy  wade  out." 

"  Then  what  shall  we  do,  Wilkins  ?  what  is  our  next 
step  ?  "  asked  Arthur. 

"  We  must  get  more  hands,"  answered  he.  "  And 
here 's  a  canny  opening,  clear  of  breakers ;  we  '11  try  to 
bring  her  in  here." 

Then,  after  he  had,  with  sailor's  skill,  secured  the 
ropes  to  two  huge  fragments  of  rock,  he  continued,  — 
"  Now,  let 's  be  off  again,  and  see  how  we  can  manage 
it.  If  we  could  get  that  big  lubberly  Black  Peter  to 
lend  a  hand,  he 's  a  powerful  chap  at  a  tug." 

"  Then  he  shall  work  or  starve,"  said  Arthur,  firmly. 

"  That 's  the  text,  captain  ;  stick  to  that,"  said  Wil- 
kins, as  they  plunged  into  the  water  again. 

Their  return  to  the  raft  was  easier  than  they  had 
expected,  for  the  tide  was  ebbing,  and  already  some  of 
the  rocks  were  bare  which  an  hour  before  had  been 
covered  with  breakers ;  besides,  the  stretched  ropes 
afforded  a  rest  for  the  hands  when  they  needed  it. 
Arthur  explained  his  plan  to  his  friends  on  the  raft, 
and  called  on  all  hands  to  aid  in  propelling  or  hauling 
the  raft  towards  the  smooth  opening  in  the  reef. 

"  You  must  assist  in  hauling  the  ropes,"  said  Arthui 
to  Peter. 


64  THE    RAFT    ON    THE    ROCKS. 

The  man  swore  violently  that  he  would  never  submit 
to  be  .ordered  by  a  boy. 

"  I  have  the  management  of  the  party,"  answered 
Arthur,  "and  all  are  willing  to  obey  me  except  you. 
Take  your  choice  :  if  you  refuse  to  share  the  work, 
most  assuredly  you  shall  not  share  the  rations." 

The  wretch  darted  a  furious  glance  at  Arthur,  and 
put  his  hand  into  his  breast ;  but  observing  the  little 
band  had  their  eyes  on  him,  he  muttered  with  a  sneer, 
"  A  parcel  of  fools  ! "  and  plunged  after  Wilkins  and 
Arthur  to  the  reef,  to  tug  at  the  ropes. 

The  raft  had  drifted  among  scattered  rocks,  and  there 
was  much  difficulty  in  preventing  it  from  being  dashed 
against  them  ;  but  those  left  upon  it  used  long  poles  to 
push  off  from  these  dangers,  while  the  men  on  the  reef 
continued  to  haul  the  ropes,  in  hopes  of  drawing  the 
raft  to  the  opening  they  wished  it  to  enter,  belaying  the 
rope  anew  as  they  gained  a  few  yards.  Slowly  and 
painfully  the*  work  progressed  ;  sometimes  they  snatched 
a  moment  for  food  and  rest ;  sometimes  the  faint-hearted 
threw  down  an  oar  or  pole,  as  a  strong  wave  cast  them 
back,  after  they  hoped  they  had  made  some  way. 

At  length,  wedged  between  two  reefs  that  ran  out 
to  sea,  they  found  they  could  make  no  further  progress, 
though  there  was  yet  a  hundred  yards  of  deep  water 
between  the  raft  and  the  dry  rocks  to  which  the  ropes 
were  attached. 

When  Arthur  saw  this,  he  called  out,  "  Haul  taught 
and  belay  the  ropes ;  and  now,  how  shall  we  convey 
the  weak  to  the  shore,  Wilkins  ?  " 

"  Bad  job ! "  growled  he.  "  We  might  swim  out  and 
trail  'em  after  us ;  but  likely  they  'd  be  flayed." 


THE    CATAMARAN.  C5 

"  Halloo !  Arthur,"  called  out  Hugh,  "  come  over  and 
see  what  we  are  about." 

When  Arthur  had  reached  the  raft,  he  saw  that 
Jack,  with  the  help  of  the  boys,  had  lashed  together 
three  or  four  light  spars  to  form  a  sort  of  catamaran, 
large  enough  for  one  person  to  sit  upon.  To  each  end 
of  this  they  had  attached  a  long  rope,  with  one  end  of 
which  Jack  proposed  to  swim  to  the  reef  of  refuge, 
ready  to  draw  over  in  this  float,  one  at  a  time,  those 
who  were  unable  to  swim  ;  and  he  engaged,  if  the  voy- 
ager only  kept  quiet,  there  would  be  no  danger ;  and 
though  the  raft  was  now  firmly  fixed,  it  was  probable  it 
would  be  dashed  to  pieces  at  high-water,  so  no  time 
must  be  lost  to  make  the  trial,  that  the  lading  as  well  as 
the  passengers  might  be  saved ;  and  Jack  set  off  with 
the  rope  round  him. 

Now  the  question  was,  who  would  venture  on  this 
frail  float  the  first  ?  The  water  looked  dark  and  deep, 
and  all  shrunk  back.  At  length  it  was  arranged  that 
they  should  test  the  safety  of  it  by  first  sending  over  a 
part  of  the  freightage  of  the  raft,  as  less  valuable  than 
human  life.  Still,  these  slender  necessaries  were  pre- 
cious to  them,  and  they  firmly  lashed  a  part  of  the 
packages  to  the  float,  and  anxiously  launched  and 
watched  the  light  raft  until  they  saw  it  safely  drawn 
to  the  reef  and  unladed  by  Jack.  It  was  then  hauled 
back,  and  Margaret,  to  encourage  her  father,  ventured 
next,  her  brothers  having  lashed  her  firmly  down,  and 
charged  her  to  be  cairn  and  motionless. 

After  her  safe  arrival,  Mr.  Mayburn  gained  courage 
to  follow  her,  and  was  succeeded  by  Nurse  Wilson. 
Ruth  begged  to  carry  her  basket  of  fowls  ;  but  was  not 
6* 


66  A    STRUGGLE    ON    THE    RAFT. 

permitted,  which  was  fortunate  for  the  chickens,  for  the 
terrified  and  restless  girl,  attempting  to  change  her 
position,  capsized  the  frail  bark  ;  but  Wilkins  and  Ar- 
thur swam  out  to  her  assistance,  and  soon  righted  it, 
and,  half-dead  with  fright  and  the  salt  water  she  had 
swallowed,  she  was  turned  over  to  Jenny,  and  the 
young  men  returned  to  the  raft  to  assist  at  the  removal 
of  the  most  valuable  part  of  the  cargo  —  the  provisions, 
guns,  and  ammunition. 

In  the  mean  time  Peter  had  roused  himself  to  take  a 
a  trip  to  the  raft,  and  when  Arthur  and  Wilkins  reached 
it,  they  found  the  ferocious  man  holding  Hugh  by  the 
throat,  and  threatening  to  shoot  him  if  he  did  not  give 
up  one  of  the  guns,  which  the  boy  held  in  the  case 
firmly  grasped  in  his  hand,  while  Gerald  was  releasing 
the  other  gun  from  the  covering,  that  he  might  defend 
Hugh,  and  protect  the  powder  and  shot,  which  he 
guarded  behind  him. 

As  soon  as  Wilkins  and  Arthur  stepped  out  on  the 
raft,  the  savage  relinquished  his  grasp  of  the  boy ;  but 
called  out  in  an  insolent  manner,  "  Give  me  one  of  the 
guns,  and  my  share  of  the  powder  and  shot  you  brought 
off.  They  are  as  much  mine  as  yours,  and  I  claim  my 
right." 

"You  are  mistaken,  Peter,"  said  Arthur;  "the  guns 
are  our  own  private  property.  The  powder  is  not 
legally  yours  or  ours  ;  but  the  necessity  of  the  occa- 
sion caused  us  gladly  to  save  it  from  destruction ;  at 
some  future  day  we  may  be  able  to  account  for  it  to  the 
owners.  In  the  mean  time,  I  choose  to  keep  possession 
of  such  a  dangerous  material ;  nor  will  I  allow  you  to 
commit  deeds  of  violence.  We  have  saved  your  life, 


ALL    SAVED.  C7 

and  supplied  you  with  food.  If  your  nature  does  not 
prompt  you  to  be  thankful,  at  least  be  neutral;  do  not 
return  evil  for  good." 

The  man  did  not  answer,  but  there  was  a  dogged 
look  of  ferocity  in  his  eyes,  that  plainly  spoke  his  feel- 
ings ;  and  Wilkins  whispered  to  Arthur,  as  they  were 
tying  on  the  packages, — 

"  Would  you  mind  our  twisting  a  rope  round  his 
arms  and  legs,  and  giving  him  a  shove  overboard? 
he's  dangerous." 

"  No,  Wilkins,"  answered  Arthur.  "  Let  the  man 
live;  we  have  no  right  to  be  his  executioners,  though 
I  believe  he  deserves  death.  If  we  all  reach  land 
safely,  we  must  watch  and  guard  againsf  him ;  and, 
above  all,  Wilkins,  do  you  take  care  that  he  does  not 
tempt  you  back  to  evil  courses." 

"  We  'se  see,"  answered  the  man,  "  I  'se  not  to  reckon 
on ;  but  I  fancy  I  'd  as  lief  take  service  with  ye,  as  turn 
rogue  again,  with  a  cut-throat  dog  like  him." 

Arthur  earnestly  hoped  that  they  might  be  able  to 
reclaim  this  good-natured  but  ignorant  man.  He  con- 
versed kindly  with  him,  as  they  carefully  and  success- 
fully managed  the  transit  of  the  whole  lading,  including 
Ruth's  chickens  ;  and  then,  Wilkins  taking  the  charge 
of  the  two  young  boys  as  they  swam  to  the  reef,  Arthur 
remained  a  few  minutes  to  cut  away  the  ropes,  which 
were  too  valuable  to  be  abandoned,  after  which  he 
signified  to  the  apparently  careless  Peter  that  he  must 
look  to  his  own  safety. 

"  I  see  all  that,"  said  the  man  in  a  surly  tone ;  "  de- 
pend on  't,  I  shall  not  stay  here ;  you  have  n't  got  rid 
of  me  yet.  So  mind  your  own  business,  young  fellow, 
and  1 11  mind  mine." 


68  THE    LANDING-PLACE. 

Arthur  left  him  and  soon  rejoined  his  friend  ;  and 
Peter,  drawing  his  knife  and  severing  the  cords  that 
had  lashed  together  the  spars  of  the  raft,  he  allowed 
them  to  float,  and  grasping  one  piece  to  support  him- 
self, he  swam  to  the  dry  reef. 

The  tide  having  now  left  the  beach  uncovered  as  far 
as  this  reef,  the  family  went  forward  to  the  lofty  cliffs 
which  rose  from  the  narrow  shingly  strand,  and  imme- 
diately began  to  remove  their  property  to  a  secure  place 
above  high-water  mark. 

"  We  may  surely  find  a  better  spot  for  a  night's  en- 
campment than  this,"  said  the  indefatigable  Arthur, 
when,  resting  from  his  labors,  he  looked  up  at  the 
rocky  heights.  "  There  appears  to  be  a  belt  of  trees 
further  north,  that  might  possibly  afford  more  shelter. 
Can  you  walk  as  far,  papa  ?  " 

"I  cannot  exert  myself  more,  my  son,"  answered 
Mr.  Mayburn.  "  Let  us  remain  here  ;  in  this  delicious 
climate,  from  what  I  have  read,  the  night  will  produce 
no  noxious  vapor  to  harm  us.  Let  us  therefore  offer 
our  evening  prayer  to  God.  and  rest  calmly  under  the 
canopy  of  His  skies,  after  this  day  of  trial  and  toil." 

The  word  of  the  father  was  the  law  of  his  children ; 
and  after  they  had  made  a  sort  of  tent  of  the  poles  and 
sail  from  the  raft,  under  which  the  boat-cloaks  were 
spread,  they  joined  in  prayer  and  lay  down  to  rest; 
but  still  apprehensive  of  the  evil  disposition  of  Peter, 
each  took  an  hour  of  watching  to  guard  the  packages 
till  daylight.  The  brilliant  light  of  a  tropical  sun  dis- 
closed to  the  thoughtful  castaways  a  smooth  sea  but  a 
barren  coast,  and  they  looked  round  in  vain  for  the 
means  of  subsistence  or  escape.  They  saw  Peter  at 
aome  distance,  dragging  out  of  reach  of  the  tide  the 


RUTH   AMONG    THE    CROCKERT.  69 

timbers  of  the  raft,  which  had  been  thrown  upon  the 
beach. 

"  I  am  glad  he  is  so  usefully  employed,"  observed 
Mr.  Mayburn.  "I  trust  he  feels  ashamed  of  his  in- 
gratitude, and  means  to  build  us  a  hut  with  these 
planks." 

"  Not  he,"  replied  Wilkins ;  "  I  ken  him  better  nor 
that.  He  'd  never  fash  to  pick  up  them  spars  ;  but  he 
wants  'em  to  use  for  his  own  purposes.  But  let  him 
be,  let  him  be.  Chaps  like  him  is  always  twining  a 
rope  for  their  own  necks." 

"Then,  Wilkins,"  answered  Margaret,  "we  ought 
not  to  *  let  him  be ; '  we  ought  to  try  and  induce  him 
to  undertake  some  happier  and  more  profitable  under- 
taking ;  do,  Arthur,  speak  to  the  man." 

Arthur  and  Jack  walked  down  to  the  beach,  while 
Ruth  made  a  fire  and  boiled  some  water  from  the  casks, 
to  make  tea,  a  supply  of  which,  and  a  considerable 
quantity  of  sugar,  being  among  the  provisions  they  had 
saved. 

"  Come,  Peter,"  said  Arthur,  "  you  will  need  some 
breakfast,  and  such  as  we  have,  we  offer  to  you.  What 
are  you  going  to  do  with  these  spars  ?  " 

"  They  are  my  property,  by  the  laws  of  wrecking," 
grumbled  the  man,  "so  keep  your  mouth  shut  about 
them.  1  '11  come  to  your  breakfast,  if  I  can  get  nought 
better  nor  your  poor  stuff." 

Finding  all  their  approaches  to  intimacy  with  this 
sullen  creature  repelled,  they  returned  to  the  tent, 
where  they  found  nurse  in  a  state  of  great  anger  with 
Ruth  the  unlucky,  who  had  literally  walked  into  the 
China  breakfast  service,  which  the  considerate  Jenny 
had  herself  brought  away  from  the  ship,  guarded  on 


70  OYSTERS. 

the  wreck,  and  had  just  spread  out  on  a  clean  napkin 
on  the  beach,  when  the  girl  being  sent  to  summon  Mr. 
Arthur,  had  rushed  through  the  midst  of  the  crockery, 
of  which  only  the  teapot  and  two  cups  escaped  de- 
struction. It  was  not  in  the  nature  of  an  Irish  boy  to 
be  serious  at  such  an  accident,  and  O'Brien  had  laughed 
so  provokingly,  that  Jenny  was  roused  almost  to  dis- 
traction. 

"  A  vagabond  lass,  as  she  is  !  "  she  exclaimed.  "  I 
blame  myself,  Miss  Marget ;  I  knew  what  was  in  her, 
and  I  ought  to  have  seen  to  have  had  her  shut  up  in 
one  of  them  Union  prison-houses.  Nothing's  safe 
where  she  comes ;  and  see  now,  we  may  just  drink 
tea,  sup  and  sup  round." 

"  And  we  may  be  thankful  we  have  tea,  nurse,"  said 
Margaret.  "  And  see,  here  is  a  tin  cup  we  used  for 
the  water,  may  do  duty  instead  of  our  pretty  Stafford- 
shire ware." 

"  And  we  may  meet  with  a  china-shop  before  long, 
nurse,"  said  Hugh.  "  We  are  not  so  very  far  from  the 
great  Empire." 

"  Well,  Master  Hugh,"  replied  nurse,  "  I  don't  pre- 
tend to  know  where  we  may  be  ;  but  there 's  little 

signs  of  shops  or  houses  round  us. If  that  does  n't 

beat  all ! "  exclaimed  she,  as  Peter  took  up  the  cup 
of  tea  she  had  prepared  for  her  master,  drank  it 
scalding  hot  at  once,  and  then  coolly  sat  down,  drew 
out  his  knife  and  began  to  open  and  swallow  oysters, 
with  which  he  had  filled  his  cap. 

"  Shares  !  "  cried  Wilkins,  good-humoredly,  holding 
out  his  hand. 

"  Seek  them  for  yourself,"  said  the  churl,  continuing 
his  repast;  on  which  Wilkins,  calling  on  O'Brien  to 


OYSTERS.  71 

follow  him,  took  his  biscuit,  and  set  out  to  search  along 
the  rocks.  Margaret  felt  alarmed  to  see  Gerald  accom- 
pany this  man ;  but  Arthur  assured  her  he  believed 
Wilkins  might  be  trusted. 

In  a  short  time  Gerald  came  running  up  to  them, 
and  throwing  down  a  cap  filled  with  oysters,  he  cried 
out,  "  Give  us  a  rope,  Jack !  we  have  got  a  turtle,  and 
turned  him  on  his  back,  that  he  may  not  get  back  to 
the  water ;  but  he  is  such  a  monstrous  fellow  that  I 
don't  know  how  we  shall  get  him  dragged  all  the  way 
to  this  place." 

"  Then  our  best  plan  will  be  to  go  to  him,"  answered 
Arthur ;  "  we  have  no  temptation  to  remain  in  this 
barren  spot;  and  you  seem  to  have  found  a  land  of 
plenty ;  therefore  I  propose  we  should  march  at  once." 

Each  took  up  some  burthen  to  carry,  leaving  the 
casks  and  heavy  packages  for  the  present,  and  moved 
forward  to  encamp  in  a  new  spot. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

A  Pleasant  Resting-place.  —  The    Turtle.  —  A  Knavish  Trick.  — 
Destitution.  —  An  Exploring  Expedition.  —  Lake    Scenery.  —  A 
Wrecked  Vessel.  —  Strange  Footsteps. —  A  Prudent  Retreat.— 
turn  of  the  Explorers. 

AFTER  walking  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  towards 
the  north,  they  reached  a  nook,  surrounded  by  man- 
grove-trees, which,  like  the  banyan-tree,  formed  bowers 
propped  by  pillars  of  successive  trunks  and  stems,  and 
interwoven  with  roots  and  branches.  At  the  part  near- 
est to  the  sea,  the  lower  branches  were  without  leaves, 
and  had  been  evidently  laid  bare  by  the  visits  of  the 
sea.  These  branches  were  now  at  low  tide  uncovered, 
and  clustered  with  oysters.  The  mangrove-wood, 
spreading  up  the  steep  cliff,  was  backed  by  some  loftier 
trees ;  and  it  appeared,  as  if  an  impenetrable  barricade 
was  formed  by  nature  to  forbid  approach  to  the  interior. 

A  niche  formed  by  the  up-rooting  of  some  aged  tree, 
of  which  few  remnants  remained,  offered  a  shady  retreat, 
much  more  attractive  than  their  late  exposed  encamp- 
ment. Then  Jenny  was  shown  the  enormous  turtle 
lying  on  its  back,  waiting  for  execution,  the  innumera- 
ble oysters  clinging  to  the  mangroves,  the  crabs  crawling 
on  the  uncovered  rocks,  and  the  clouds  of  sea-birds 
sailing  overhead  or  sitting  stupidly  on  the  rocks  fishing ; 
and,  charmed  with  the  promise  of  plenty,  she  said : 

u  We  may  do  a  bit  here,  Miss  Marget,  while  this  fine 
weather   lasts,  if    we    can    light  on   any  fresh   water. 
Birds  and  fish  may  serve  us  well  enough." 
(72) 


THE    POULTRY-HOUSE.  73 

"  Where  all  those  tall  green  trees  grow,"  said  Arthur, 
pointing  to  the  heights,  "there  must  be  water  to  be 
found ;  and,  in  the  mean  time,  we  have  a  large  cask, 
which  we  must  bring  up  if  we  make  an  encampment 
here." 

"  I  have  brought  the  kettle  full,"  said  Jenny,  "  and 
a  bag  of  biscuits  too.  We  might  have  got  more  here, 
but  nought  would  serve  Ruth  but  hug  them  weary 
chickens  with  her." 

"  They  will  die,  shut  up  in  that  basket,  Ruth,"  said 
Gerald.  "  Come,  Hugh,  while  Jack  and  Wllkins  are 
killing  that  poor  turtle,  let  us  make  a  poultry-coop 
under  the  roots  of  the  mangrove." 

"Above  high-water  mark,  remember,  Gerald,"  said 
Arthur. 

"Oh,  botheration!  Arty,"  answered  he;  "and  you 
fancy  I  can't  make  a  hen-coop  without  a  blunder ;  but 
you  shall  see." 

The  boys  selected  a  space  among  the  arched  roots, 
out  of  reach  of  the  tide,  and  interwove  the  sides  with 
branches,  making  a  snug  and  airy  dwelling  for  the 
fowls,  which  rejoiced  in  their  emancipation  from  the 
basket;  and  the  tropical  shades  were  startled  with  the 
novel  sound  of  the  crowing  of  a  cock. 

In  the  mean  time,  Jack  and  Wilkins  had  killed  the 
turtle,  cut  the  flesh  into  pieces,  and  cleaned  the  strong 
back  shell,  which  they  proposed  should  be  useful ;  and, 
after  a  fire  had  been  made,  a  portion  of  the  turtle  was 
cooked  in  its  recent  habitation,  to  the  wonder  and 
delight  of  Jenny,  who  was  in  despair  for  cooking- 
vessels.  Then  the  rest  of  the  meat  was  placed  under 
the  trees,  in  the  most  shady  situation,  and  scattered 
over  with  the  portion  of  salt  they  could  spare  from  the 
7 


74  THE    TURTLE. 

small  store  they  had  brought ;  but,  in  that  sultry  climate, 
they  feared  they  should  not  be  able  to  preserve  it  more 
than  one  day. 

"  We  could  easily  knock  down  a  few  of  those  boobies, 
if  you  would  like  them,  nurse,"  said  Hugh. 

"  Certainly  not,  Hugh,"  said  his  father ;  "  with  the 
abundance  of  food  we  possess,  it  would  be  merciless  to 
destroy  more  life  ;  and  I  am  able  to  study  the  form  and 
habits  of  the  sluggish  bird  as  conveniently  while  it  is 
seated  on  that  rock  as  if  it  lay  dead  on  the  beach." 

The  mosquitoes  were  so  numerous  among  the  trees 
in  their  new  resting-place,  that  Mr.  Mayburn,  who 
suffered  remarkably  from  the  attacks  of  insects,  was 
greatly  distressed ;  and  Margaret  said  to  her  brothers : 

"It  will  be  impossible  for  papa  to  remain  among 
these  mosquito-haunted  trees  ;  we  must  either  try  to  pen- 
etrate further  into  the  island,  or  we  must  return  to  the 
bare  and  quiet  rocky  strand  we  have  quitted.  At  all 
events,  we  must  have  the  sail  brought  to  make  a  tent." 

It  was  finally  decided  that  after  their  dinner  they 
would,  for  one  night  at  least,  return  to  their  landing- 
place;  and  the  turtle  being  cooked  as  well  as  turtle 
could  be  cooked  under  such  adverse  circumstances,  with 
Nurse  Wilson  as  chef  de  cuisine,  they  sat  down  to  enjoy 
it.  Knives  and  forks  they  possessed ;  plates  they  had 
not ;  but  the  shells  of  some  of  the  large  oysters  tolera- 
bly well  supplied  the  want.  After  they  had  dined, 
sultry  as  it  was,  they  were  glad  to  resume  their  bur- 
dens, and  flee  from  the  venomous  mosquitoes  which 
followed  them  for  some  distance;  but,  unwilling  to 
forsake  the  trees,  their  tormentors  abandoned  them  when 
they  reached  the  bare  cliffs. 

A  cry  of  dismay  from  Hugh  and  Gerald,  who  had 


THE    ROBBER    PETER.  75 

preceded  the  rest,  announced  some  vexatious  catastrophe, 
and  hurried  them  forward  to  see  with  bitter  mortifica- 
tion the  disappearance  of  the  casks  and  the  various 
packages  they  had  left  on  the  spot  where  they  landed. 

"I  mistrusted  that  rogue,"  exclaimed  Wilkins, 
"  specially  when  he  did  n't  turn  up  to  his  dinner.  He 's 
a  deep  un,  and  no  mistake." 

The  boys  went  to  the  sea,  now  flowing  over  the 
reefs,  and  saw  that  the  spars  of  the  broken-up  raft, 
which  had  been  thrown  on  shore,  were  also  gone.  It 
was  plain  the  artful  villain  had  constructed  another  raft, 
and  set  out  on  it,  carrying  off  their  provisions,  one  of 
the  guns,  and  the  powder  and  shot. 

"  And  worst  of  all,"  said  Jack,  "  my  tool-chest,  and 
my  axe,  which  he  borrowed  from  me  this  morning." 

"More  fool  you  to  lend  it  to  him,"  said  Wilkins, 
furiously  enraged.  "  It  seems  to  me  as  how  roguery 
thrives  better  nor  aught,  say  what  ye  will  otherwise." 

"  Do  not  speak  so  foolishly,  Wilkins,"  said  Margaret. 
"  Wickedness  can  never  thrive,  even  on  this  earth. 
This  bad  man  has  probably  run  into  greater  distress 
than  he  has  left,  with  the  added  torment  of  a  bad  con- 
science. It  is  only  when  we  walk  in  truth  and.  honesty 
that  we  can  hope  for  the  protection  of  God." 

"  Where  can  the  fellow  mean  to  steer  to  ? "  asked 
Hugh. 

"  With  a  light  raft,"  answered  Arthur,  "  he  may  per- 
haps work  round  to  the  east  of  the  island,  if  it  be  an 
island,  and  from  thence  he  probably  hopes  to  reach  the 
mainland.  We  have  sustained  a  heavy  loss  from  his 
knavery ;  but  we  shall  sleep  sounder  to-night  from  the 
knowledge  that  he  is  not  near  us." 

After  a  good  night's  rest,  they  arose  to  look  round 


76  AN    IMPORTANT    OBJECT. 

them  and  consider  what  was  the  best  course  in  their 
destitute  situation.  Mr.  Mayburn  was  dejected,  Marga- 
ret was  anxious,  but  the  boys  were  full  of  hope  and 
energy. 

"  Hugh  and  Gerald,"  said  Arthur,  "  I  call  on  you  to 
listen  seriously  to  me.  It  is  all  very  well  to  hunt 
turtles,  and  I  do  not  object  to  your  knocking  down  a 
few  boobies,  for  we  must  have  the  means  of  supporting 
life ;  but  we  have  a  great  object  in  view  at  present. 
We  must  ascertain  where  we  are,  and  what  step  we  are 
next  to  take.  We  cannot  yet  be  sure  that  this  is,  as  we 
suspect,  an  island." 

"  It  seems  a  desolate  spot,"  said  Margaret,  shuddering. 

"Worse  than  Robinson  Crusoe's  island,  Meggie," 
said  Hugh,  "for  we  have  not  even  the  goats.  Not  a 
four-footed  animal  have  I  set  eyes  on  yet,  and  the 
bipeds  are  few  and  ugly." 

"  I  wish  we  may  not  find  some  bipeds,"  said  Arthur, 
"  that  are  more  offensive  than  the  gulls  and  boobies." 

"  Oh,  botheration  ! "  said  Gerald.  "  Sure  you  won't 
mean  the  savages,  Arty.  What  jolly  fun  if  we  had  an 
invasion  !  Would  n't  we  drub  them  like  British  heroes 
as  we  are  ?  " 

"  And  pray,  most  valiant  knight  of  Ireland,"  answered 
Arthur,  "  where  are  your  weapons  of  warfare  ?  " 

"Oh,  murder!  what  a  blunderer  I  am!"  replied  the 
boy ;  "  I  had  forgotten  the  state  of  our  armory.  Let 
us  consider.  We  have  one  rifle,  with  a  small  amount 
of  ammunition,  one  bowie-knife,  two  penknives,  one 
capital  stick-knife,  the  table-knives,  and has  any- 
body else  any  dangerous  weapons  ?  " 

"  I  have  a  silver  fruit-knife  and  a  pair  of  scissors," 
said  Margaret. 


INSPECTION    OP    WEAPONS.  77 

"  Quite  useless,"  replied  he.  "  Now,  nurse,  turn  out 
your  pockets." 

Jenny  produced  a  housewife,  containing  needles, 
thread,  and  scissors,  thimble,  a  nutmeg-grater,  a  cork- 
screw, and  the  half-dozen  useful  forks.  Jack,  always 
prudent,  still  retained  in  his  pockets  a  large  clasp-knife, 
a  hammer,  and  a  few  nails.  Mr.  Mayburn  had  a  small 
microscope,  forceps,  a  case  of  delicate  instruments  of 
surgery,  some  blotting-paper,  and  a  sketching-book  and 
pencils ;  all  of  which  were  regarded  with  contempt  by 
the  warrior  Gerald. 

"  Well,"  said  he,  "  we  must  just  set  to  work  to  make 
bows  and  arrows,  pikes  and  clubs.  Those  trees  we  saw 
yesterday  will  supply  us  with  materials." 

"We  will  trouble*  you,  then,"  said  Arthur,  "to  take 
your  axe  and  cut  down  a  tree." 

"There  you  are  caught  again,  Pat,"  said  Hugh. 
"Another  blunder!  Poor  unhappy  fellows  we  are; 
destitute  of  means,  we  can  neither  fight  nor  run  away, 
if  this  be  an  island  we  have  been  thrown  on." 

"That  brings  us  to  the  point  again,"  said  Arthur. 
"  That  is  the  thing  necessary  to  be  known ;  so,  without 
further  delay,  we  three  will  set  out  and  make  a  careful 
inspection  of  the  coast.  We  will  leave  Wilkins  and 
Jack  to  guard  the  encampment ;  I  will  carry  the  rifle 
and  the  few  charges  we  have  left,  but  I  trust  I  may  not 
be  called  on  to  use  them,  for  I  should  grudge  them 
exceedingly.'"' 

"  Shed  no  blood,  I  beseech  you,  my  son,"  said  Mr. 

Mayburn.     "  We  are  intruders ;  do  not  let  us  become 

invaders.     If  we  can  obtain  immunity  for  ourselves,  let 

us  be  satisfied.     Even  if  we  should  be  attacked,  we 

7* 


78  AN    EXPLORING    PARTY. 

have  no  right  to  retaliate,  but  should  rather  take  to 
flight." 

"  But,  dear  papa,"  answered  Hugh,  "  we  cannot  fly 
without  wings.  We  are  at  bay  here,  and  must  fight  or 
fall.  But,  depend  on  it,  we  shall  be  cautious,  with 
Arthur  the  prudent  to  lead  us ;  and  remember,  this  is 
only  an  exploring  and  foraging  expedition." 

The  bold  little  party  then  set  out  towards  the  man- 
grove-wood, through  which,  with  much  toil  and  many 
windings,  they  forced  their  way,  and  gained  more  open 
ground.  They  crossed  the  bed  of  a  river,  which  was 
now,  however,  but  a  series  of  muddy  pools,  from  which, 
though  anxious  to  have  a  draught  of  fresh  water,  they 
felt  no  inclination  to  drink.  Beyond  this  spot  some 
low  bare  sandhills  rose,  which  they  crossed,  and  thence 
to  a  steep  eminence.  They  climbed  up  this,  and  found 
themselves  among  vast  piles  of  rocky  fragments  mixed 
with  tall  wiry  grass. 

They  looked  round;  all  was  silence  and  desolation, 
the  barren  chaotic  scenery  being  varied  only  by  the 
tall  bare  trunks  of  a  species  of  acacia,  which  here  and 
there  broke  the  monotony  of  the  prospect ;  and  now  the 
boys  felt  convinced  that  they  were  placed  on  a  truly 
desert  island. 

Still  they  moved  forwards,  though  depressed  and 
silent,  over  the  dismal  wilderness ;  till  at  length  they 
were  cheered  by  the  sight  of  vegetation,  and  hailed 
with  pleasure  some  tall  trees.  Arthur  recognized  the 
cabbage-palm,  the  slender  stem  sixty  feet  in  height, 
with  the  round  tuft  of  edible  leaves  at  the  summit. 
Hugh  would  willingly  have  tried  to  climb  the  tree  to 
procure  the  leaves,  but  his  brother  persuaded  him  to 
defer  the  exploit  till  a  more  favorable  opportunity, 


THE    LAKE    AND    ITS    INHABITANTS.  79 

and  pointed  out  to  him  a  fringe  of  the  graceful  casua- 
rina,  which  promised  the  blessing  of  water.  They 
made  up  to  it,  and  found  it  bordered  a  broad  and  glitter- 
ing lake,  in  the  clear  waters  of  which  they  distinguished 
multitudes  of  large  fish,  while  on  the  banks  the  noisy- 
waterfowl  were  building  their  nests.  The  edge  of  the 
lake  was  stuck  over  with  fresh-water  mussels ;  and  but 
for  the  flies  and  mosquitoes  which  haunted  the  trees, 
this  spot  appeared  a  terrestrial  paradise  compared  with 
the  dreary  bay  they  had  left. 

"  This  is  the  place  for  our  camp  and  fortress,"  said 
Hugh ;  "  let  us  bring  up  our  rear-guard  at  once.  We 
shall  have  the  lake  for  our  water-tank,  and  its  feathered 
and  finny  inhabitants  for  our  rations.". 

"  And  these  winged  monsters  for  our  besieging  foes," 
added  Gerald,  striking  a  mosquito  from  his  nose. 

"  It  is  a  pleasant  and  tempting  situation,  certainly," 
said  Arthur ;  "  and  we  might  select  a  spot  sufficiently 
distant  from  the  water  to  avoid  these  bloodthirsty 
insects.  But  we  must  be  certain  that  we  shall  have 
no  neighbors  more  dangerous  than  the  mosquitoes.  We 
had  better  explore  to  the  coast." 

Hugh  and  Gerald  had  contrived  to  knock  down  two 
pairs  of  ducks,  which  they  slung  across  their  shoulders, 
and  marched  forward  towards  more  fertile  plains,  where 
high  grass  and  low  bushes  spread  a  verdant  covering 
over  the  soil,  till  they  reached  a  thick  wood,  sloping 
downwards,  through  which  they  penetrated,  and  found 
themselves  on  a  narrow  strand,  similar  to  that  on  which 
they  had  landed. 

A  rocky  promontory  ran  out  to  the  sea  at  a  little 
distance ;  the  broken,  rugged,  rocky  sides  were  clothed 


80  THE    WRECKED    VESSEL. 

with  brushwood,  and  a  lofty  headland  jutted  out  at  the 
summit.  Their  further  progress  would  have  been  cut 
off  had  it  been  quite  high  water  ;  but  the  tide  was  si  ill 
low  enough  to  permit  them,  with  some  care,  to  turn 
round  the  promontory,  and  gain  a  broader  strand, 
which  was  strewed  with  huge  fragments  of  rock, 
amongst  which  they  saw,  with  great  astonishment,  the 
wreck  of  a  large  vessel  lying.  The  hull  was  divided ; 
the  forecastle-deck  was  in  one  place,  and  at  a  distance 
lay  part  of  the  quarter-deck. 

At  first  the  boys  were  struck  speechless  with  this 
unexpected  sight;  then  they  began  to  climb  over  tlie 
rocks  to  reach  the  wreck,  and  Gerald  breathlessly 
asked :  "  Will  we  find  any  of  them  alive  ?  " 

"  Alive,  man  !  "  exclaimed  Hugh.  "  You  may  sec 
at  once  this  is  no  recent  affair ;  look  at  this  chain,  the 
sea  must  have  washed  over  it  some  hundreds  of  times, 
for  it  is  covered  with  rust." 

The  sea  was  even  now  breaking  over  the  scattered 
rocks,  making  the  approach  to  the  wreck  at  once  diffi- 
cult and  dangerous ;  but  the  boys  made  out  that  the 
vessel  must  have  been  first  thrown  on  the  rocks,  and 
afterwards  broken  up  by  the  sea.  It  now  remained  a 
melancholy  spectacle ;  timbers,  decks,  masts,  and  yards, 
scattered  or  piled  in  confused  heaps,  apparently  un- 
touched by  man  for  wreeks  or  months.  The  upper  parts 
of  the  stern  and  hull  as  far  forward  as  the  mizen  chains 
were  entire,  lying  on  the  stern-frames;  but  no  bodies 
were  found,  and  the  boats  being  missing,  Arthur  sug- 
gested that  the  crew  must  have  got  off,  carrying  with 
them  the  useful  articles  they  might  need;  for  little 
could  be  seen  except  the  mere  timbers,  except  that 


THE    RETREAT    CUT    OFF.  81 

where  the  marks  of  an  axe  were  found  on  the  jnizen- 
mast,  the  axe  itself,  though  much  rusted,  was  lying 
near,  and  gladly  seized  by  the  boys. 

"  Margaret  will  become  alarmed,"  said  Arthur,  "  if 
we  delay  our  return ;  but  to-morrow  we  must  examine 
this  wreck  more  closely.  Much  has  doubtless  been  car- 
ried off  by  the  boats  or  the  waves ;  but  even  the  yards 
and  chains  may  be  useful  to  us." 

"  I  wish  we  could  find  any  thing  to  eat/*  sighed 
Gerald. 

"  Depend  on  it,  Gerald,"  said  Hugh,  "  the  greedy  sea 
will  have  devoured  the  provisions.  I  cannot  even  see 
an  empty  cask  which  might  be  useful.  But,  halloo ! 
captain,  our  retreat  is  cut  off;  the  sea  is  washing  the 
headland,  and  we  may  be  glad  to  use  the  old  hull  as  an 
ark  now." 

"I  think  we  may  be  able  to  turn  the  next  point," 
said  Arthur,  pointing  to  another  jutting  rock  of  the 
indented  coast  which  stood  out  about  a  hundred  yards 
in  the  opposite  direction,  and  where  a  sort  of  shelf  a 
few  feet  from  the  water  afforded  an  unsafe  pass.  "  Be 
quick,  boys ;  we  must  beat  the  waves  if  we  would  escape 
before  next  tide." 

Away  the  daring  boys  darted  among  the  windings 
and  over  the  barriers  of  broken  rock,  till  they  reached 
the  second  promontory,  and  with  the  waves  dashing 
close  below  them,  rounded  it,  coming  out  on  an  almost 
impassable  narrow  hem  of  encumbered  beach,  which 
stretched  before  them  for  several  hundred  yards. 
Crawling  close  to  the  cliffs,  they  found  at  length  the 
strand  grew  broad  and  level,  and  they  sprang  forward 
to  enjoy  more  freedom,  when  they  were  suddenly 
9 


82  TKACES    OF    MAX. 

startled  by  the  sight  of  the  shell  of  a  turtle,  which  they 
could  not  but  suspect  the  hand  of  man  had  removed 
from  the  back  of  the  rightful  proprietor. 

They  looked  intently  on  it,,  then  Arthur  said,  "  This 
shell  has  undoubtedly  been  roughly  cut  from  the  animal. 
The  important  question  is,  who  cut  it  ?  " 

"  Perhaps-  the  crew  of  the  wrecked  vessel,"  suggested 
Hugh. 

"  It  may  have  been  so,"  answered  Arthur,  somewhat 
relieved. 

Then  O'Brien  shouldered  the  large  shell,  and  they 
moved  forward  thoughtfully  for  a  few  minutes ;  till  a 
dark  spot  at  some  distance  from  the  water  attracted 
the  attention  of  Arthur  ;  they  hastened  towards  it,  and 
saw  to  their  great  consternation,  not  only  the  traces  of 
a  recent  fire,  but  the  naked  footmarks  of  men,  the  head 
of  a  turtle  still  bloody,  a  long  wooden  spear,  plainly 
hardened  by  fire,,  and  an  instrument  which  Arthur 
recognized  from  description  to  be  a  throwing-stick  for 
the  spear,,  as  it  had  a  hook  at  one  end  which  fitted  a 
notch  at  the  heel  of  the  spear,  which  the  holders  were 
thus  enabled  to  project  with  great  force. 

"We  must  carry  away  these  curious  arms,*'  said 
Hugh. 

"Certainly  not,  I  think,"  replied  Arthur.  "In  the 
first  place>  we  have  no  right  to  take  them,  since  they 
have  been  left  here  in  good  faith,  as  we  might  have 
left  our  spades  in  our  own  grounds  at  home ;  and  next 
we  should  thus  place  ourselves  in  the  position  of  in- 
vaders and  marauders,  and  incur  the  enmity  of  danger- 
ous foes.  We  had  better  obliterate  all  traces  of  our 
Tisit,  and,  like  prudent  fellows,  retreat  quietly." 


THE    PRUDENT    RETREAT.  83 

"Run  away!  Arthur,"  exclaimed  O'Brien.  "You 
may  as  well  speak  plainly.  And  won't  Margaret  think 
us  a  set  of  poltroons  ?  " 

"  We  will  talk  of  that  as  wo  retreat,"  said  Arthur, 
laughing ;  "  but  we  must  carefully  examine  the  way  we 
came,  that  we  may  leave  no  footsteps." 

As  it  happened,  the  vivacity  and  restless  curiosity  of 
the  boys  had  induced  them  to  keep  close  to  the  cliffs, 
leaping  from  rock  to  rock,  peeping  into  crannies  for 
nests,  so  that  no  traces  were  left,  except  where  the  tide 
would  soon  wash  them  away,  and  Arthur  resolved  now 
to  ascend  the  cliffs  at  once,  instead  of  going  round  the 
island,  to  escape  any  risking  of  meeting  the  savages. 
He  calculated  that  they  had  reached  a  part  of  the 
shore  nearly  opposite  to  that  on  which  they  had  first 
landed;  and  by  directly  crossing  the  island,  which  he 
felt  could  not  be  more  than  three  miles  over,  they  might 
safely  and  speedily  rejoin  their  friends. 

"  I  do  not  think  it  probable,"  he  said,  "  that  this  bar- 
ren island  has  any  permanent  inhabitants.  The  people 
who  have  left  their  traces  on  the  coast  may  come  over 
from  some  more  productive  soil,  solely  to  catch  the  tur- 
tles." 

"  Do  you  think  they  came  from  the  mainland  ? " 
asked  Hugh ;  "  I  fancied  from  the  heights  of  the  east 
cliffs,  I  could  make  out  a  gray  line,  which  was  doubt- 
less Australia." 

"  I  scarcely  can  fancy,"  answered  Arthur,  "  that  a 
people  whom  we  have  seen  described  as  so  deficient  in 
intelligence  should  be  able  to  construct  canoes  to  come 
such  a  distance.  It  is  more  likely  they  are  inhabitants 
of  one  of  the  hundred  dangerous  islands  of  this  sea. 


84  THE    RETURN. 

It  will  be  prudent,  at  all  events,  to  avoid  them  if  we 
can." 

As  they  rapidly  made  their  way  directly  across  the 
island,  O'Brien  wished  there  had  been  a  boat  left  on 
the  wreck,  and  Hugh  said,  "  Could  n't  we  build  a  boat, 
Arthur  ?  Jack  is  up  to  any  work  of  that  sort." 

"  We  have  not  tools  or  time,  Hugh,"  answered  Ar- 
thur. "  Only  consider  how  long  it  would  take,  even  if 
we  had  the  means,  to  complete  a  boat  to  be  useful  to  us. 
No  ;  at  present  we  must  content  ourselves  to  make  the 
best  of  our  situation  ;  and  as  I  do  not  think  the  savages 
have  found  the  bay  of  the  wrecked  vessel,  I  shall  pro- 
pose that  we  move  our  encampment  into  that  snug 
nook." 

"  What  capital  fun,"  cried  Gerald.  "  We  will  bring 
them  off  directly." 

"  Softly,  good  youth  ! "  said  Arthur.  "  We  must 
hold  a  council  on  such  an  important  matter.  But  see 
Jack  perched  on  yon  tall  tree,  to  watch  for  us  and  give 
notice;  and  here  comes  JVleggie  to  meet  us  and  hear 
the  news." 


CHAPTER    VII. 

The  Results  of  the  Expedition.  —  The  Long  Vacation.  —  Removed 
from  the  Landing-place.  —  Birds  and  their  Nests.  —  Fishing. — 
Tapping  a  Cask  of  Potatoes.  —  Tent-making.  —  The  Shell  Sptides. 
—  Digging  a  Tank.  —  A  Grand  Attempt  at  Boat-building. 

"  GET  all  into  marching  order,  Meggie,"  said  Hugh. 
"  We  have  found  out  a  better  site  for  a  settlement  than 
our  present  encampment,  and  Gerald  and  I  mean  to 
build  a  shealing." 

"  And  not  a  mangrove  or  a  mosquito  to  be  seen  near 
it,"  added  Gerald  ;  "  nothing  but  a  ship  at  anchor." 

"  A  ship ! "  exclaimed  Margaret,  in  astonishment. 
*'  What  does  the  wild  boy  mean,  Arthur  ?  " 

"  You  will  only  see  the  remains  of  a  ship,  Meggie," 
answered  Arthur  ;  "  and  though  you  may  think  the 
scene  of  a  shipwreck  a  melancholy  spot  to  select,  yet  it 
seems  a  convenient,  sheltered  cove,  and  a  desirable  re- 
treat for  a  short  time,  till  we  arrange  our  plans  for  the 
future." 

When  they  arrived  at  the  encampment,  and  the  ad- 
ventures of  the  day  had  been  told,  Jack  heard  with 
especial  interest  the  account  of  the  wrecked  vessel  ; 
and  as  he  examined  the  rusty  axe,  he  planned  great 
undertakings  with  the  aid  of  his  new  tool ;  while  Jenny 
looked  with  much  satisfaction  on  the  ducks,  which  she 
declared  were  "  more  Christian  meat  than  them  slimy, 
fat  turtles  ; "  and  Ruth,  smoothing  the  beautiful  plu- 
mage with  her  hands,  and  thinking,  with  foreboding 
dread,  of  the  fate  of  her  favorites,  said  — 

(85) 


80  PLANS    OF    ESCAPE. 

"  Bonnie  things  !  what  a  sham'  to  kill  'em." 

"  And  see  what  papa  and  I  have  found,"  said  Mar- 
garet, producing  a  basket  half-filled  with  the  eggs  of 
the  turtle,  while  Jenny  served  up  to  them  some  roasted 
in  the  ashes,  which  the  hungry  ramblers  thought  deli- 
cious. 

Then  a  consultation  was  held  on  the  project  of  re- 
moval. Margaret  shrunk  from -any  risk  of  meeting 
with  the  savage  islanders  ;  but  Arthur  considered  they 
should  be  safer  from  any  encounter  with  them  in  the 
secluded  nook  they  had  discovered,  which  was  guarded 
by  coral  reefs,  dangerous  even  to  such  light  canoes  as 
these  people  usually  had,  and  hidden  by  the  jutting 
promontories,  than  they  should  be  to  remain  in  their 
present  exposed  encampment,  or  even  in  the  more  fer- 
tile regions  of  the  interior. 

Mr.  Mayburn  had  some  shadowy  fancies  of  civilizing 
and  converting  the  whole  horde  at  once ;  but  Arthur 
argued  that  the  time  was  not  favorable  for  the  under- 
taking, and  that  they  must  try  to  establish  themselves 
in  a  more  independent  position  before  they  indulged 
any  hopes  of  reclaiming  a  large  body  of  heathens. 

"  Besides,  papa,"  added  he,  "  we  must  look  forward 
to  some  plan  of  leaving  this  dull  and  desolate  island, 
and  we  may  have  an  opportunity  of  signalling  some 
passing  sail  if  we  establish  ourselves  on  the  beach." 

"  Ye  '11  not  see  mony  ships  amang  yon  reefs,"  said 
"Wilkins,  "  barring  they  're  drove  there  in  a  gale,  and 
then,  as  ye  've  seen,  there 's  poor  chance  of  they  're 
getting  off  again." 

"  But  we  might  build  a  boat  with  the  remains  of  the 
wreck,"  suggested  Jack. 

"  There 's  some  sense  in  that,"  answered  the  man ; 


INDIA   RELINQUISHED.  87 

**  but  when  ye  Ve  gotten  your  boat  fettled  up,  what  port 
would  ye  be  making  for  ?  " 

"  I  am  pledged  to  go  to  India,  Wilkins,"  said  Mr. 
Mayburn. 

"  Pledged  to  a  fiddlestick,"  replied  he,  with  con- 
tempt. "  Think  ye  now  ye  can  sail  to  Indy  in  a  crazy 
bit  boat  like  what  we  chaps  can  put  together.  Ye  '11 
have  to  make  right  across  for  t'  mainland ;  and  mind 
what  I  tell  ye :  I  'se  stick  to  ye,  and  work  for  ye,  and 
fight  for  ye,  but  ye  're  not  to  be  'liv'ring  me  up  at  Syd- 
ney yonder  to  be  shackled  and  drove  like  a  nigger 
slave." 

"  I  fear,  Wilkins,"  answered  Arthur,  "  there  is  little 
probability  of  our  reaching  Sydney  ;  but  we  are  all  too 
grateful  for  the  services  of  a  faithful  adherent,  to  think 
of  returning  evil  for  them ;  and  you  may  be  satisfied 
we  shall  continue  to  protect  you  to  the  utmost  of  our 
power.  And,  my  dear  father,  you  must  no  longer  dis- 
tress yourself  with  the  idea  of  fulfilling  your  appoint- 
ment in  India.  We  shall  be  reported  lost  in  the 
Golden  Fairy,  and  the  mission  will  be  filled  up.  You 
must  resign  yourself  to  accept  any  safe  refuge  that  is 
accessible,  and  wait  for  happier  circumstances." 

"  In  the  mean  time,  papa,"  said  Margaret,  "  God  will 
surely  provide  us  with  work.  And  till  we  have  more 
extended  opportunities  our  own  hearts  require  our  la- 
bor. We  must  not  neglect  our  duty  at  home.'' 

"  I  thank  you,  my  child,"  answered  he,  "  for  remind- 
ing me  of  my  wasted  hours.  It  is  indeed  full  time  that 
I  should  resume  the  active  duties  of  my  profession.  I 
have  a  weighty  responsibility.  Do  you  not  think  that 
I  should  begin  at  once,  by  recalling  my  boys  to  their 
daily  studies  ?  " 


88  THE    LONG    VACATION. 

O'Brien  looked  piteously  at  Hugh,  who  laughed  at 
his  mournful  countenance,  and  Margaret  replied, 

"  The  boys  are  not  idle,  papa.  They  are  studying 
in  the  great  book  of  Nature.  Every  hour  shows  to 
them  some  new  wonder  of  creation",  and  raises  their 
thoughts  to  the  mighty  Creator.  Every  sight  and 
sound  develops  a  new  idea ;  and  all  you  are  called  on 
to  do,  papa,  is  to  watch  and  to  water." 

"  That  is  all  I  am  fit  to  do,"  answered  he.  "  I  want 
the  energy  and  firmness  that  you  possess  —  a  blessed 
boon  from  God.  The  deep  sorrow  that  ever  haunts 
me  is,  that  my  life  has  been  spent  in  vain  purposes, 
never  accomplished." 

"  My  dear,  conscientious  father,"  said  Margaret,  "  be 
comforted ;  I  trust  the  hour  may  yet  come  when  you 
will  have  a  field  for  your  pious  labors :  till  then,  have 
no  remorse  in  following  your  simple  and  blameless 
amusements.  I  have  no  merit  in  my  duties  of  attend- 
ing, governing,  and  lecturing  these  wild  boys.  I  love 
the  office;  I  was  certainly  not  born  for  any  sphere 
more  elevated.  But  you,  papa,  whose  sole  enjoyment 
is  to  sit  in  an  easy-chair  before  a  table  laden  with  books 
and  a  cabinet  filled  with  eggs  and  wings,  were  wrenched 
violently  from  your  nature  wrhen  you  were  doomed  to 
pass  days  in  forcing  these  unwilling  boys  to  learn  the 
rules  of  syntax,  or  the  crabbed  mysteries  of  Euclid. 
We  are  shaken  from  our  proprieties  here ;  you  cannot 
teach  Latin  or  work  out  problems  without  books ;  so 
you  must  take  your  ease,  and  consider  this  the  long 
vacation." 

"You  are  the  girl  for  knowing  a  few  things,  Meg- 
gie  ! "  said  O'Brien,  admiringly.  "  Be  sure,  sir,  Hugh 
and  I  will  work  to  any  amount  to  help  you  in  your 


A    PLEASANT    REGION.  89 

ornithology  and  oology,  if  you  will  spare  us  the  philol- 
ogy a  bit.  There  's  no  running  about  with  a  conjuga- 
tion in  one's  mouth." 

"And  as  Arthur  has  demonstrated  his  problem  on 
the  best  position  for  the  encampment,"  said  Hugh,  "  I 
conclude  we  had  better  move  at  once.  No  occasion  to 
send  forward  notice  about  well-aired  beds." 

"  And  no  occasion,  Hugh  Harebrain,"  said  Arthur, 
"  to  be  overtaken  by  darkness  on  our  journey.  Let  us 
be  deliberate.  Jenny  must  roast  the  ducks  for  our 
breakfast  in  the  morning,  Jack  must  collect  his  valua- 
ble work-tools,  Ruth  must  again  imprison  those  luckless 
chickens,  and  then  we  must  all  have  a  night's  rest.  It 
will  be  time  enough  to  set  out  in  the  morning,  and  we 
must  take  care  to  start  before  the  sun  blazes  out  in  all 
its  fervor." 

All  obeyed  orders;  and,  with  the  first  ray  of  light, 
the  whole  camp  was  alive.  It  was  very  important  this 
time  that  nothing  should  be  left  behind.  Peter  had 
relieved  them  from  the  charge  of  biscuit  and  water, 
which  he  had  carried  off  with  the  tool-chest  and  gun ; 
but  there  was  still  a  little  tea  and  sugar,  which  was 
carefully  preserved.  The  sail-cloth  was  rolled  up; 
even  the  oars  used  for  tent-poles  were  taken ;  and, 
after  morning  prayers,  they  set  out  slowly  along  the 
beach,  and  through  the  mazy,  ascending  woods,  till 
they  reached  the  table-land  of  the  rocky  isle.  They 
crossed  it  this  time  at  the  head  of  the  lake  which  they 
had  discovered  the  preceding  day,  and  found  this  part 
of  the  island  still  more  fertile  and  lovely  than  any  they 
had  yet  seen.  Mr.  Mayburn  was  in  ecstasy;  he  stopped 
continually  to  point  out  some  new  and  beautiful  grass, 
some  bright  nameless  flower,  or  some  strange  tree; 
8* 


90  THE    BLACK    SWAN. 

while  the  notes,  harsh,  musical,  or  merry,  of  thousands 
of  birds,  filled  him  with  amazement  and  delight. 

"  From  this  moment,  my  boys,"  said  he,  "  I  release 
you  from  the  severe  studies  which,  Margaret  truly 
observes,  are  unfitted  to  our  circumstances  and  the 
relaxing  climate.  I  merely  require  from  you  to  obtain 
me  specimens  —  single  specimens  only  —  of  the  eggs 
and  nests  of  these  birds ;  and,  if  it  were  not  cruel,  I 
should  long  to  possess  some  of  these  rare  creatures  in 
all  their  beauty." 

"  I  fear,  papa,"  observed  Margaret,  "  that  you  have 
no  means  of  preserving  birds;  therefore  it  would  be 
useless  to  take  them." 

"  You  are  right,  Margaret,"  he  answered.  "  I  will 
be  content  with  a  nest  and  an  egg  of  each  species." 

"  Would  you  mind  about  having  the  nest  and  egg 
of  that  fellow,  sir  ?  "  asked  O'Brien,  pointing  to  a  ma- 
jestic black  swan  sailing  on  the  lake. 

"  Rara  avis ! "  exclaimed  he ;  then  added,  with  a 
sigh,  "  no,  no,  Gerald,  we  have  no  means.  The  animal 
is  weighty,  therefore  the  nest  must  be  large,  and  not 
of  a  portable  nature.  I  relinquish  the  precious  posses- 
sion. But  let  us  linger  on  the  borders  of  the  lake,  to 
examine  its  wild  charms.  Would  that  I  had  saved  my 
botanical  library,  that  I  might  have  made  out  the  spe- 
cies of  these  broad  flags  and  thick  bamboos !  " 

"  These  round  reeds  will  make  capital  arrows,"  said 
Hugh,  cutting  down  a  bundle  of  them ;  "  and  I  doubt 
not  but  some  of  them  would  be  elastic  enough  for  the 
bows.  We  may  surely,  with  all  our  learning,  succeed 
better  in  making  them  than  untaught  savages.  Then 
we  may  bring  down  our  birds  noiselessly,  and  defy  the 
thievish  tricks  of  Black  Peter." 


THE    BAY    OF    THE    WRECK.  91 

"  But  first,  Hugh,"  said  O'Brien,  "  we  must  have  a 
trial  with  some  of  these  big  fellows  in  the  lake,"  point- 
ing to  some  large  perch-shaped  fish. 

Jack  sharpened  some  of  the  reeds  to  a  point,  and  the 
boys  were  soon  plunging  about  in  the  clear  bright  lake, 
pursuing  and  striking  the  fish ;  and  after  fifty  vain  at- 
tempts, they  succeeded  at  length  in  spearing  two,  which, 
though  young,  were  of  large  size,  and  Arthur  con- 
cluded they  must  be  the  river  cod  ( Grystes  Peelii)^  so 
much  praised  by  Australian  travellers.  Then,  regard- 
less of  wet  garments,  which  the  hot  sun  soon  dried, 
the  boys  triumphantly  proceeded  on  with  their  spoil. 
Jack,  in  the  mean  time,  had  struck  off  from  the  edge 
of  the  lake  a  cluster  of  fresh-water  mussels  of  various 
sizes,  and  emptied  them,  to  serve  for  spoons  and  drink- 
ing-cups. 

Thence  they  moved  forward,  anxious  now  to  seek 
some  shelter  from  the  increasing  heat  of  the  day,  and 
gladly  entered  the  wood,  from  which,  with  some  difficul- 
ties in  the  descent,  they  reached  the  wreck-encumbered 
bay.  All  were  at  once  attracted  to  the  side  of  the 
vessel ;  Jack,  especially,  examined  it  with  intense  in- 
terest, considering  its  future  service  to  him.  Margaret 
and  her  father  were  moved  to  tears,  as  they  contem- 
plated the  shattered  fabric,  and  thought  on  the  brave 
but  probably  unprepared  men  who  might  have  been 
hurried  into  eternity  before  the  final  catastrophe. 

While  Hugh  and  Gerald  climbed  the  sides  to  explore 
the  interior  of  the  wreck,  Arthur  observed  that  some 
of  the  timbers  had  been  carried  away  by  the  tide  even 
since  the  previous  day,  and  he  consulted  with  Jack 
about  the  possibility  of  breaking  up  and  endeavoring 
to  save  such  parts  as  might  be  useful  to  themselves; 


92  THE   POTATO-CASK. 

and  in  order  to  lose  no  time  they  grasped  a  loosened 
plank,  to  draw  it  away  beyond  the  reach  of  the  tide. 
No  sooner  had  they  removed  it,  than  a  large  cask 
rolled  from  the  opening,  which  they  concluded  led  into 
the  hold.  The  cask  broke  open  with  the  fall,  and  a 
number  of  potatoes  ran  out.  Every  hand  was  quickly 
summoned  to  collect  and  save  the  valuable  contents ; 
the  cask  was  righted  and  carefully  removed  up  the 
beach,  and  it  was  great  amusement  to  the  boys  to 
pursue  the  straggling  potatoes,  and  save  them  from 
being  swept  away  by  the  next  tide. 

"  I  say,  O'Brien,  my  boy,  I  wonder  your  Irish  nose 
did  not  scent  the  pratees  yesterday,"  said  Hugh. 

"  Now  is  n't  it  luck,  Arty,"  said  Gerald.  "  Will  we 
plant  some  ?  and  then  we  shall  never  want  as  long  as 
we  stay  here." 

Margaret  looked  alarmed  at  the  plan  of  planting 
potatoes  for  future  provision ;  but  Arthur  replied,  he 
hoped  they  should  be  able  to  leave  the  island  before 
the  potatoes  were  exhausted;  nevertheless,  he  approved 
of  the  provident  project  of  Gerald,  and  promised  to 
seek  a  favorable  spot  to  plant  some,  for  the  benefit  of 
future  visitors  to  this  unproductive  island. 

"  But  do  not  be  afraid,  nurse,"  added  he,  "  to  boil 
us  a  large  shell  of  potatoes  to-day ;  we  have  abundance ; 
and  in  our  scarcity  of  bread,  we  could  not  have  found 
a  more  valuable  prize." 

Ruth  had  been  in  the  wood  to  seek  for  a  convenient 
place  for  a  hencoop,  and  now  rushed  out  with  torn  gar- 
ments, exclaiming,  —  "  Oh  !  Miss  Marget,  come  and  see 
what  a  bonnie  beck  there  is." 

A  beck,  or  stream  of  water,  was,  indeed,  a  valuable 
discovery ;  and,  conducted  by  Ruth,  Arthur  and  Jack 


A    NEW    SPADE.  93 

forced  their  way  through  entangled  roots  and  brush- 
wood, till  they  reached  a  narrow  rivulet  of  clear  water, 
probably  flowing  from  the  lake  by  some  unseen  channel 
beneath  the  grassy  region  they  had  crossed ;  and  after 
trickling  down  the  rocks,  it  again  disappeared  in  the 
sand  and  shingles  of  the  beach. 

"  This  is  but  a  slender  supply,  Jack,"  said  Arthur ; 
"  I  fear  it  might  fail  us  in  a  drought." 

"We  must  dig  a  tank,  Mr.  Arthur,"  he  answered; 
"  that  is,  if  we  can  raise  a  §pade." 

Jack  considered  for  a  few  minutes.  He  was  not 
to  be  checked  by  apparent  difficulties  in  his  undertak- 
ings. "What  do  you  think,  Mr.  Arthur,  of  one  of 
those  big  oyster  or  mussel  shells  ?  I  could  tie  one  to 
a  stick  with  some  of  these  stringy  fibres  of  creeping 
plants;  or,  better  far,  there's  a  tree  up  above,  that 
seems  to  have  a  bark  you  might  ravel  out  into  strings ; 
and  there  's  another  tree,  with  a  stiff,  regular  sort  of 
gum,  as  good  as  glue,  oozing  out  of  it.  Now,  with  all 
these,  I  '11  be  bound  to  make  a  spade  or  two  that  will 
turn  up  this  light  soil  fast  enough." 

"  Then  the  sooner  we  set  about  it  the  better,  Jack," 
answered  Arthur.  "  We  cannot  do  better  than  remain 
in  this  spot,  if  we  meet  with  no  disturbance,  until  we 
can  make  some  canoe  or  raft  to  take  us  off;  and  it  is 
absolutely  necessary  to  secure  a  supply  of  water.  Let 
us  go  and  choose  our  shells." 

But  when  they  returned  to  the  beach,  they  found 
Mr.  Mayburn  so  much  overcome  by  the  scorching  heat 
of  the  sun,  that  their  first  care  was  to  get  up  a  tent  or 
shelter  of  some  kind  for  him.  They  selected  a  deep 
niche  in  the  cliff,  where  the  rocks  formed  a  complete 
angle,  and  having  procured  from  the  wreck  &ome 


94  THE    FORTRESS. 

suitable  spars,  they  fixed  them  in  the  crevices  of  the 
rocks,  to  form  the  rafters  of  the  roof,  which  they  cov- 
ered with  the  long  grass  which  grew  above  the  cliffs. 
The  sail  was  thrown  over  the  front,  as  a  curtain,  and 
they  were  thus  provided  with  a  shady  and  convenient 
apartment. 

At  low  tide,  Hugh  and  Gerald  amused  themselves 
with  searching  for  nests  in  the  extremity  of  the  prom- 
ontory, and  finding  an  opening,  they  had  penetrated 
into  a  spacious  cave,  the  mouth  of  which  would  be  cov- 
ered at  high-water ;  but  as  it  shelved  upwards  to  a  con- 
siderable distance  in  the  rocks,  the  back  part  was  safe 
and  dry. 

"  Just  think,  Hugh,  my  boy,"  said  O'Brien,  "  what  a 
fortress  this  would  be  for  us  if  we  were  invaded.  One 
man  could  defend  the  entrance  with  the  gun,  even  at 
low-water ;  and  how  we  should  defy  the  rogues  when 
the  tide  was  up." 

"  But  it  would  be  horribly  dismal,  Gerald,"  answered 
Hugh.  "  We  could  never  bear  to  live  in  it  long ;  and, 
you  know,  we  need  no  sleeping-rooms  or  houses  to 
cover  us  in  this  fine  climate ;  so  we  will  leave  it  unin- 
habited, at  least  in  peaceful  times.  But  \\e  will  show 
it  to  Arthur,  and  ask  him  if  it  would  not  make  a  good 
storehouse." 

Arthur  congratulated  the  boys  on  their  discovery,  and 
the  timid  father  was  highly  gratified  at  the  thoughts  of 
such  a  secure  retreat ;  after  he  had  satisfactorily  ascer- 
tained that  it  could  always  be  accessible  at  low-water, 
and  never  dangerous  at  the  highest  tide ;  and  Margaret 
proposed  that  the  cookery  should  be  accomplished  within 
the  cave,  that  the  smoke  might  not  attract  the  observa- 
tion of  the  dreaded  natives.  So  Jenny  established  her 


PROJECTS    OF   WORK.  UO 

kitchen  here,  and  prepared  an  excellent  dinner  of  fish, 
and  potatoes  boiled  in  the  shells  of  the  turtle,  while 
Margaret  kept  watch  for  the  returning  tide,  though 
Jenny  said,  "  It 's  all  little  use,  Miss  Marget ;  it  has  to 
be,  I  feel.  Ruth 's  sartain  to  be  catched  and  fastened 
up  in  this  eerie  place." 

Jack  made  a  careful  inspection  of  the  remains  of  the 
vessel,  and  from  the  stern  cabin,  which  was  still  unin- 
jured, he  drew  out,  with  the  help  of  the  boys,  a  rough 
bench  and  a  table,  —  useful  acquisitions;  and  still 
better,  a  good-sized  empty  cask,  which  had  contained 
brandy,  and  was  now  conveniently  employed  as  a  water- 
cask.  Then,  after  a  long  survey  of  the  state  of  the 
timbers,  Jack  announced  that,  with  the  help  of  Wil- 
kins's  strong  arm,  and  Arthur's  judgment  and  perse- 
verance, he  would  undertake  to  build  a  sort  of  boat. 

Wilkins  shrugged  up  his  shoulders  at  the  prospect 
of  hard  work  under  a  burning  sun,  and  said,  "  Why, 
one  had  as  lief  be  working  in  irons  down  yonder ;  where 
one  was  safe  of  full  rations,  and  bacca,  and  rum  into  t' 
bargain." 

"  And  ruin  to  body  and  soul,  you  may  add,  unhappy 
man,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn.  "  Be  not  discontented  that 
the  mercy  of  God  has  rescued  you  from  evil,  and  cast 
you  among  true  friends,  who  ask  you  to  do  no  more 
than  they  do  themselves ;  to  fare  simply,  and  to  work. 
You  were  not  placed  in  this  world  to  live  like  the 
beasts,  who  eat,  and  drink,  and  perish  for  ever.  Your 
life  is  here  but  the  beginning  of  eternity ;  the  hour  of 
death  is  close  at  hand  to  all,  when  those  who  have  done 
evil  shall  receive  their  punishment,  and  those  who  have 
listened  to  God  shall  find  a  blessed  home  in  a  new  and 
glorious  world." 


96  FORAGING. 

"\Vilkins  never  replied  to  any  of  Mr.  Mayburn's 
preachings,  as  he  called  these  admonitions ;  but  he 
scoffed  less  than  formerly,  and  Margaret  observed  that 
his  manners  were  somewhat  softened;  and  she  daily 
prayed  to  God  that  they  might  be  permitted  to  aid  in 
reclaiming,  at  least,  one  sinful  soul. 

The  next  day  Jack  succeeded  in  binding  two  large 
shells  to  stout  handles,  and  fixing  them  with  gum ; 
then,  while  he  left  them  to  harden,  he  set  to  work  to 
clean  the  rusty  axe  with  sand  and  stones,  and  at  length 
rendered  it  serviceable.  He  was  thus  enabled  to  break 
up  the  wreck,  and  to  select  such  timber  as  would  be 
useful  for  his  projected  undertaking ;  he  extracted  all 
the  large  nails  that  were  uninjured,  and  after  many 
days'  labor,  had  accumulated  materials  to  begin  his 
great  work. 

But  the  first  employment  of  the  youths  was  to  be 
digging  the  well ;  they  went  every  morning  to  the  lake 
to  procure  fish,  birds,  or  eggs,  for  the  provision  of  the 
clay,  and  then  returned  to  assist  in  digging,  the  spades 
being  now  available,  as  the  gum  had  become  as  hard  as 
the  shell.  After  they  had  sunk  the  tank  sufficiently 
deep,  they  lined  it  with  flat  stones ;  and  saw  with  great 
satisfaction,  that  they  need  never  be  without  a  supply 
of  fresh  water,  if  they  remained  at  this  cove. 

Some  time  passed,  and  they  saw  no  more  traces  of 
visitors  to  the  island,  and  they  ventured  to  ramble  to 
some  distance  along  the  beach,  bringing  in  occasionally 
a  turtle,  or  a  basket  of  turtles'  eggs,  to  vary  their  diet. 
They  also  used  daily  a  small  quantity  of  potatoes,  but 
they  were  economical  with  these  valuable  roots,  of  which 
they  hoped  to  raise  a  crop  in  the  island,  and,  should 
they  ever  reach  it,  on  the  main  land  as  well. 


BOAT-BUILDING.  97 

After  the  tank  was  completed,  Jack  selected  a  spot 
conveniently  near  high-water  mark,  and  seriously  set 
about  boat-building.  He  had  carefully  examined  the 
boats  during  their  voyages,  and  while  in  the  Amoor  he 
made  many  inquiries  of  the  obliging  ship-carpenter; 
but  though  bold  and  sanguine  in  all  his  enterprises,  he 
did  sometimes  feel  that  he  had  undertaken  a  stupendous 
task. 

The  planks  that  would  best  have  suited  his  purpose 
were  more  or  less  injured  by  the  sea ;  he  had  no  means 
of  forming  iron  bolts  or  screws,  yet  the  indefatigable 
youth  persevered ;  but  the  month  of  August,  the  early 
spring  of  that  climate,  was  advanced  before  the  boat 
assumed  a  form  of  promise.  It  was  then  caulked  with 
matted  cordage  found  in  the  vessel,  and  with  gum,  of 
which  they  had  abundance.  Now,  though  rough  and 
clumsy,  Jack  declared  it  "  looked  like  work  ; "  and 
after  two  pair  of  oars  had  been  made  with  little  diffi- 
culty, to  the  great  delight  of  the  young  workmen,  a  day 
was  fixed  for  launching  the  boat. 


CHAPTER     VIII. 

•The  Launch  of  the  Boat. —  An  Alarming  Catastrophe.  —  Disap- 
pointed Hopes.  —  Jack's  Perseverance.  —  A  Peep  at  the  Old  En- 
campment. —  Black  Peter  again.  —  The  Loss  of  the  Boat.  — 
Canoe-building.  —  The  Luggage-van. 

IT  was  necessary  to  carry  the  boat  fairly  out  to  deep 
water,  to  test  its  perfect  security ;  but  the  reefs  were 
impassable  before  the  cove,  and  they  were  aware  they 
should  be  compelled  to  row  to  some  distance  within 
them  till  they  found  an  opening.  A  roller,  left  in  the 
wreck,  enabled  them  at  high-water  to  run  out  the  boat, 
and  Wilkins  and  Arthur  volunteered  to  make  the  first 
trial  in  it.  Jack  was  detained  on  shore,  where  he  was 
always  usefully  employed,  and  the  two  boys  were 
considered  too  wild  to  be  risked  in  the  first  trip  —  an 
arrangement  which  they  would  gladly  have  rebelled 
against. 

The  anxious  watchers  stood  on  shore  to  mark  the 
boat  first  float  on  the  water,  and  then  the  strokes  of 
the  oars,  which  carried  it  round  the  promontory  at  the 
south  out  of  their  sight.  Then  Jack  and  the  two  boys 
ascended  through  the  wood  to  the  heights,  and  crossed 
the  cape,  to  watch  the  further  progress  of  the  precious 
vessel.  But  what  was  their  consternation  to  see  no 
traces  of  it.  They  hurried  down  to  the  beach  beyond 
the  promontory,  and  gazed  wildly  around,  uttering  cries 
of  distraction.  A  few  minutes  of  horror  succeeded : 
then  they  saw  the  heads  of  the  two  swimmers,  who 

(98) 


THE    RESCUE    OF    WILKINS.  99 

appeared  to  be  struggling  violently  against  the  receding 
waves. 

The  two  boys  would  have  plunged  at  once  into  the 
water ;  but  Jack,  in  a  tone  of  authority,  commanded 
them  to  remain  still,  and  throwing  off  his  own  light 
frock,  he  rapidly  cut  a  long  branch  of  mangrove,  and 
swam  out,  holding  it  out  towards  Arthur,  who  seemed 
nearly  exhausted,  and  who  eagerly  clutched  the  branch 
as  soon  as  it  was  within  his  reach.  Then  Jack  turned 
round,  and  swimming  with  one  hand,  drew  the  almost 
senseless  Arthur,  still  firmly  grasping  the  branch,  after 
him  into  shallow  water,  where  Hugh  was  waiting  to 
receive  him.  Still  fresh  and  imfearing,  Jack  set  out 
again  towards  Wilkins,  who  had  grasped  an  oar  and 
was  supporting  himself  with  it,  when,  just  as  he  saw 
his  friend  coming  up  to  aid  him,  he  either  dropped  the 
oar  from  exhaustion,  or  some  unseen  rock  dashed  it 
from  his  hand,  and  he  immediately  disappeared. 

A  great  cry  rose  from  the  boys  on  the  beach;  but 
the  minute  after,  he  rose  again,  lying  on  his  back,  and 
apparently  insensible.  This  enabled  Jack  to  approach 
him  with  greater  safety,  and  catching  hold  of  his  long 
hair,  he  drew  the  senseless  body  of  the  poor  man  to- 
wards the  shore.  But  Hugh  perceived  Jack  could 
not  long  hold  out,  and  throwing  off  his  clothes,  he 
struck  out  to  meet  him,  compelled  him  to  relinquish 
the  charge  of  Wilkins ;  and  thus  they  were  all  enabled 
at  length  to  reach  the  shore.  But  all  were  greatly 
exhausted,  and  Wilkins  was  apparently  dead  when 
they  drew  him  on  the  beach. 

O'Brien  hastened  through  the  woods,  and  by  cries 
and  signals  brought  Margaret  and  Jenny  to  their 
assistance,  by  whose  prudent  care  and  applications  the 


100  JACK'S  PERSEVERANCE. 

poor  man  was  restored  to  consciousness.  No  sooner 
was  he  recovered,  than,  trembling  excessively,  he  looked 
wildly  round,  and  said,  — 

"  Good  Lord !  it  is  a  terrible  thing  to  die  in  one's 
sins ! " 

"  How  glad  I  am  to  hear  you  say  these  word.-, 
Wilkins  !  "  said  Margaret ;  "  and  now  let  all  our  words 
and  thoughts  be  thanks  to  Him  who  has  given  you  time 
to  turn  from  these  sins,  and  lead  a  new  life.  Pray  to 
Him  openly.  We  are  all  your  friends,  and  we  will 
join  you  ; "  and*  kneeling  down  by  the  side  of  the  con- 
vict, Margaret  offered  up  a  simple  and  short  thanks- 
giving for  the  two  men  happily  rescued  from  death, 
and  a  prayer  for  continued  mercy  for  their  souls.  For 
the  first  time  the  lips  of  Wilkins  moved  in  prayer,  and 
he  audibly  uttered  "  Amen." 

In  order  to  remove  the  anxiety  of  Mr.  May  burn, 
they  returned  to  the  encampment  as  soon  as  the  ex- 
hausted swimmers  were  able  to  walk.  Then  Arthur 
related  to  his  friends  that  as  soon  as  they  had  got  the 
boat  into  deep  water,  they  suspected  there  was  some- 
thing wrong  about  her,  and  were  endeavoring  to  make 
to  shore,  when  she  whirled  round  and  was  swamped  in 
a  moment,  and  the  labor  of  weeks  and  the  hopes  of 
escape  wTere  at  once  lost. 

The  whole  party  were  greatly  dejected ;  but  Jack, 
who  was  at  first  deeply  mortified,  was  the  first  to  shake 
off  his  chagrin,  and  to  declare  boldly  that  he  would 
make  another  experiment.  u  We  have  plenty  of  ma- 
terials quite  handy,"  said  he  ;  "  and  it  cannot  be  so  far 
to  the  coast  of  the  main  land.  If  you  will  let  me  try 
again,  sir,  I  feel  quite  certain  I  could  make  two  bark 
canoes  that  would  take  us  all,  and,  if  we  were  once 


JACK'S  PERSEVERANCE.  101 

fairly  over  the  reefs,  could  be  paddled  across  without 
danger." 

"  My  good  boy,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  "  I  am  but  an 
indifferent  judge  of  nautical  affairs ;  but  you  must  allow 
your  first  adventure  has  been  signally  discouraging. 
Nevertheless,  I  admire  that  perseverance  which  must 
in  the  end  subdue  obstacles  and  command  success,  and 
I  do  not  object  to  your  continuing  your  experiments; 
but  I  would  advise  you  to  try  your  next  boat  on  the 
lake,  where,  in  case  of  accidents,  no  fatal  consequences 
need  be  feared." 

"  I  will  make  a  canoe  at  once,"  answered  he ;  "  but  I 
will  risk  no  lives.  I  will  paddle  it  across  to  the  main- 
land myself,  and  then  return  to  convince  you  of  its 
security.  This  time  I  have  no  fears,  provided  we  do 
not  overload  our  vessels.  I  will  set  out  to  seek  a  tree 
immediately." 

"You  will  eat  your  dinner  first,  my  man,"  said  nurse; 
"  and  if  you  had  a  bit  of  sleep  after  your  swimming, 
before  you  set  off  to  cut  down  trees,  there  would  be 
more  sense  in  it.  Here's  some  good  roast  duck  for 
you ;  a  grand  dinner  it  might  have  been  if  we  had  only 
had  sage  and  onions." 

Jack  found  Jenny  was  right.  He  was  not  equal  to 
a  long  walk  after  his  exertions  and  vexations ;  so  he 
sat  down  to  eat  his  roast  duck,  and  then  set  about  mak- 
ing models  of  canoes,  prahus,  and  catamarans,  from 
the  recollection  of  what  he  had  seen  or  read  of.  But 
next  morning,  leaving  Wilkins,  who  was  much  bruised, 
and  still  weak,  and  subdued  by  mental  and  bodily  suf- 
fering, in  the  care  of  Margaret  and  her  father,  the 
young  men  set  out  to  explore  the  island  for  a  tree  of 
proper  height  and  girth  to  make  use  of  for  their  first 
attempt  at  a  canoe. 


102  BARKING   A    TREE. 

"After  all,  Mr.  Arthur,"  said  Jack,  "if  this  should 
fail,  we  could  try  catamarans.  That  would  be  easy 
enough,  and  we  have  mangroves  close  at  hand  that 
would  answer  exactly  for  making  them.  But  then  I 
have  my  doubts  if  the  master,  or  Miss  Margaret,  could 
be  brought  round  to  trust  themselves  on  such  bits  of 
floats  for  a  voyage  that  far.  Here 's  a  grand  tree ! 
Now,  if  we  can  only  peel  it  clean,  it  will  set  us  up." 

It  was  a  tall  fine  tree  of  the  Eucalyptus  or  gum 
species,  with  a  thick  rough  bark,  which  seemed  as  if  it 
might  be  easily  removed.  Arthur  began  by  making 
a  deep  incision  round  the  trunk  at  the  bottom,  and 
also  in  a  perpendicular  line  as  high  as  he  could  reach. 
By  standing  on  a  fragment  of  rock,  he  was  able  to 
carry  it  up  to  the  height  of  twelve  feet,  and  to  finish  it 
by  another  circular  incision.  Hugh  and  Gerald  stood 
at  the  foot  of  the  tree  to  receive  the  bark,  which,  when 
gently  raised  from  the  trunk,  was  easily  separated,  and 
let  down  in  one  piece  without  any  injury,  to  the  great 
delight  of  the  boys.  Jack  was  anxious  to  have  it  trans- 
ported to  the  cove  immediately ;  but  the  boys  wished  to 
take  a  peep  at  their  first  landing-place  before  their 
return,  and  they  all  turned  their  steps  in  that  direction. 
Hugh  and  Gerald  had  distanced  the  two  elder  youths, 
who  had  not  reached  the  cliffs,  when  they  saw  the  two 
boys  returning  in  haste,  with  dismay  on  their  faces. 

"  Oh !  Arthur,"  cried  Gerald,  "  such  a  vexation ! 
We  are  in  for  a  battle,  and  we  have  no  arms !  The 
savages  are  ready  for  us  on  the  beach." 

"  But  we  are  not  ready  for  them,"  replied  Arthur, 
"and  must  therefore  keep  out  of  sight  Do  you  two 
hasten  homewards  with  the  bark,  while  Jack  and  I 
reconnoitre." 


PETER    AMONG    THE    NATIVES.  103 

Then  cautiously  creeping  along  to  the  edge  of  the 
cliffs,  they  looked  down  on  the  narrow  strand  below, 
and  saw  a  number  of  the  dark  natives  gathered  round 
some  object  close  to  the  water,  which  seemed  to  have 
excited  their  curiosity.  Jack,  with  a  muttered  exclama- 
tion of  vexation,  recognized  this  to  be  his  unfortunate 
boat  which  had  doubtless  drifted  on  shore  here. 

"  Oh !  Mr.  Arthur,"  whispered  the  lad,  in  great  agi- 
tation ;  "  as  sure  as  you  are  living,  I  see  that  rogue, 
black  Peter,  that  got  all  my  tools,  among  the  savages ; 
depend  on  it  he  has  brought  them  here  to  seek  for  us." 

"  To  seek  for  the  remainder  of  our  property,  I  sus- 
pect, Jack,"  replied  Arthur.  "  They  are  probably  not 
very  anxious  to  encounter  our  fire-arms ;  and  we  should 
be  no  prize  to  them,  even  if  they  could  capture  us. 
But  we  had  best  decamp  now,  as  we  are  quite  unarmed, 
and  it  might  be  dangerous  to  be  detected ;  and,  Jack, 
we  must  set  to  work  directly.  I  am  anxious  now  to  get 
away  as  soon  as  possible,  for  these  fellows  will  be  con- 
stantly in  our  way  on  this  small  isle." 

They  withdrew  with  the  same  caution  with  which 
they  had  approached,  and  then  hurried  to  overtake  the 
boys,  who  were  moving  slowly  along,  carrying  the  bark ; 
and  with  the  additional  hands  they  soon  brought  it 
safely  into  harbor,  to  the  admiration  of  Mr.  Mayburn, 
who  was,  however,  greatly  distressed  to  hear  of  another 
visit  of  the  savages.  Then,  as  they  measured  and 
arranged  the  work,  they  discussed  with  wonder  the 
appearance  of  black  Peter  among  the  natives,  and  the 
cause  of  his  disturbing  their  quiet  seclusion. 

"  Peter 's  in  his  reet  place  amang  'om,"  said  Wilkins, 
"  and  it 's  time  for  us  to  be  off  when  he  shows  his  black, 
Mgly  face.  As  sure  as  we  're  here,  master,  if  he  cannot 


104  AN    AMBUSH. 

'tice  me  off  to  join  his  crew,  and  start  bush-ranging, 
he  '11  take  my  life.  He 's  a  reg'lar  black-hearted  un  for 
a  bit  of  vengeance." 

"  But,  surely,  Wilkins,"  said  Margaret,  "  there  can 
be  no  fear  that  you,  who  have  now  learnt  to  know  good 
from  evil  —  you,  who  have  seen  the  wickedness  of  your 
past  life,  should  ever  go  back  to  such  sin." 

"  Why,  ye  see,  miss,"  answered  the  man,  "  it 's  little 
that  such  as  ye  know,  what  a  queer  tempting  a  chap 
feels  for  a  free,  roving  life.  Why  !  half  of  our  biggest 
rogues  did  know  good  from  evil;  and  what  of  that? 
They  liked  evil  better  nor  good.  I  reckon  there 's  a 
bad  spirit  as  is  always  tugging  at  a  fellow's  heart." 

"You  are  right,  Wilkins,"  replied  Mr.  Mayburn, 
"  It  is  the  power  of  the  Prince  of  Darkne'ss  that  you 
feel  in  your  heart,  dragging  you  to  the  pit  of  perdition. 
But  if  you  pray  to  God,  my  poor  man,  he  will  send 
you  strength  to  resist  the  evil  one." 

Wilkins  groaned,  and  his  friends  felt  true  pity  for  the 
unfortunate  man,  who  was  sensible  of  his  own  weak- 
ness ;  and  while  all  deeply  regretted  that  the  infamous 
Peter  had  chosen  to  pursue  them,  they  resolved  con- 
tinually to  watch  and  pray  for  the  complete  reformation 
of  Wilkins.  Neither  could  the  family  feel  in  safety 
while  they  believed  the  savages  remained  on  the  island  ; 
it  was  therefore  arranged  that  Arthur  and  Jack  —  the 
most  prudent  heads  —  should  return  to  the  cliffs  above 
the  landing-place  of  these  unpleasant  visitors,  to  watch 
their  proceedings,  and  endeavor,  if  possible,  to  discover 
their  plans,  and  the  motives  that  brought  them  to  the 
island. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  other  boys  transferred  the  bark 
to  the  capacious  cave ;  the  tent  was  also  stowed  there, 


PETER,    A    CARPENTER.  105 

with  every  other  trace  of  their  habitation ;  and  it  was 
arranged  that,  if  there  was  likely  to  be  any  danger  of 
detection,  the  two  sentinels  were  to  announce  it  by  a 
sharp  whistle,  when  the  whole  family  would  be  ready  to 
take  shelter  in  the  gloomy  but  secure  fortress. 

Concealing  themselves  as  much  as  possible  among  the 
tangled  mangroves,  Arthur  and  Jack  went  round  to  the 
spot  from  whence  they  had  previously  seen  the  strangers, 
and  beneath  the  abundance  of  brushwood  above  the 
cliffs  they  made  for  themselves  a  complete  hiding-place, 
with  loopholes  for  observation.  They  saw  the  men  still 
assembled  round  the  boat,  but  the  sound  of  the  hammer 
induced  them  to  conclude  that  Peter  was  engaged  re- 
pairing some  damage  in  it ;  and,  to  the  great  vexation 
of  Jack,  he  saw  his  own  tool-chest,  which  he  valued  so 
highly,  standing  on  one  side,  and  at  a  little  distance  lay 
the  boughs  of  a  large  mangrove  tree,  and  the  axe  with 
which  they  had  been  felled. 

Arthur  suggested  that  Peter  had  brought  these  men 
to  the  island,  hoping  to  find  the  remainder  of  their 
property,  and  bringing  the  tools  to  cut  down  a  tree  and 
make  a  raft  to  carry  away  the  spoils ;  for  the  light 
canoes  which  were  lying  on  the  beach  were  only  fit  to 
contain  one  person,  or,  at  the  most,  two  in  each ;  and 
that,  finding  the  boat,  Peter  had  thought  it  more  con- 
venient than  a  raft  for  the  purpose. 

"  Do  you  think,  Mr.  Arthur,"  said  Jack,  "  they  will 
be  leaving  any  of  the  canoes  behind  them  ?  I  should 
like  to  see  how  they  finish  them  off  at  the  ends.  But 
surely  they  '11  never  start  off  in  that  unlucky  boat ;  I 
could  hardly  bide  to  see  them  enter  her,  knowing  what 
we  know." 

But  Arthur  was  of  opinion  that  they  were  not  called 


106  THE    BOAT    AFLOAT. 

upon  to  risk  their  own  lives  and  the  lives  of  their 
friends,  by  going  forward  to  report  the  character  of  the 
boat.  Besides,  Peter,  the  only  person  who  would  be 
able  to  understand  their  language,  would  probably  not 
believe  them. 

So  they  continued  to  watch  till  Peter  had  completed 
his  work,  and  then,  by  the  efforts  of  the  natives,  the 
boat  was  launched,  the  whole  party  celebrating  the 
event  by  dancing,  singing,  and  flinging  about  their  arms 
with  childish  delight.  Peter  selected  three  of  the  men 
to  accompany  him  in  the  boat,  which,  with  the  aid  of 
some  long  poles  and  paddles  from  their  canoes,  they 
pushed  off  and  forced  over  the  rocks.  The  rest  of  the 
natives  leaped  into  their  canoes,  and  followed  with 
shouts  of  admiration. 

In  deep  anxiety  the  two  young  men  continued  to 
watch  the  boat,  which  they  expected  every  moment  to 
see  disappear;  but  whether  Peter  had  found  out  its 
defects  and  remedied  them,  or  the  water  had  swelled 
the  wood  and  rendered  it  fit  for  service,  it  was  impossi- 
ble to  say.  One  thing  only  was  clear,  that  as  long  as 
they  could  observe  it,  till  it  had  passed  towards  the 
south,  out  of  their  view,  it  continued  to  move  slowly, 
but  with  apparent  security. 

Leaving  their  position,  they  crossed  over  to  a  high 
point  at  the  south  of  the  island,  from  whence  they  could 
perceive  the  little  fleet  —  the  canoes  now  diminished  to 
mere  specks  —  proceeding  towards  a  dark  object,  which 
they  judged  to  be  a  distant  island. 

Satisfied  that  the  people  had  all  departed,  they  de- 
scended to  the  beach  to  inspect  the  scene  of  their  visit, 
Jack  remaining  for  some  time  silent  from  the  mortifica- 
tion of  seeing  the  product  of  his  labors  appropriated  so 


A   NATIVE    CANOE.  107 

successfully  by  the  unscrupulous  Peter;  and  almost 
disappointed  that  he  had  not  witnessed  the  boat  go 
down,  as  he  expected.  But  when  they  reached  the 
strand,  he  recovered  his  spirits  at  the  sight  of  a  canoe 
which  they  had  not  been  able  to  carry  off  conveniently 
after  manning  the  boat.  It  was  not  useful  as  a  prize, 
for  it  would  only  contain  one  person  in  comfort;  but 
he  was  able,  as  he  wished,  to  examine  the  workman- 
ship. 

"Shall  we  carry  it  off,  Mr.  Arthur?"  he  said.  "A 
fair  exchange  is  no  robbery ;  and  you  know,  sir,  this  is 
poor  payment  for  my  good  boat." 

"I  think  we  had  better  leave  it,  Jack,"  answered 
Arthur.  "  The  blacks  will  certainly  return  for  it ;  and 
when  they  find  it  removed,  they  will  be  convinced  that 
we  are  still  concealed  on  the  island.  If  we  remain 
unsuspected,  Peter  will  naturally  conclude  from  the 
sight  of  the  wrecked  boat,  that  we  are  all  drowned; 
and  will  then  think  no  more  about  us.  You  see  the 
simple  construction  of  the  canoe,  closed  at  the  ends  by 
the  stringy  bark,  which  we  can  easily  procure ;  or  better 
still,  we  can  use  hempen  ropes,  of  which  we  have  still 
some  ;  and  we  must  strengthen  the  bottom  by  an  extra 
layer  of  bark,  or  by  thin  planks." 

"It's  not  badly  put  together,"  said  Jack,  with  a 
critical  air ;  "  but  it  will  be  strange  if  a  regular  taught 
English  carpenter  cannot  beat  it.  I'm  not  daunted, 
Mr.  Arthur,  after  all  my  vexations.  And  here 's  some- 
thing that  pleases  me  better ;  and,  say  what  you  will, 
sir,  this  is  my  own,  and  I  '11  take  it." 

This  was  a  small  saw,  which  had  been  left  beneath 
the  lopped  branches  of  the  mangrove;  and  Arthur, 


108  PETER'S  CHARACTER. 

prudent  as  he  was,  not  only  agreed  that  Jack  had  a 
perfect  right  to  carry  away  his  own  property  ;  but  he 
thought  he  might  do  it  with  safety ;  for,  in  the  place 
where  it  was  lying,  it  would  certainly  be  washed  away 
by  the  next  tide,  if  it  was  left  behind ;  and,  charmed 
with  their  prize,  they  hastened  home  to  report  that  the 
intruders  had  departed. 

Hugh  and  Gerald  were  in  a  high  state  of  indignation 
at  the  audacity  of  Peter  in  carrying  off  their  boat ;  and 
Wilkins  was  furious,  upbraiding  Jack  for  his  professional 
unskilfulness ;  when  a  fellow  like  Black  Peter  could 
make  the  boat  fit  to  stand  a  voyage. 

"  We  do  not  know  yet  how  the  voyage  ended,"  said 
Margaret.  "  It  may  be  the  boat  has  again  foundered 
where  help  could  not  be  had." 

"  God  send  it  may  ! "  said  Wilkins.  Mr.  Mayburn 
reproved  the  thoughtless  man  for  the  exclamation, 
telling  him  he  ought  rather  to  pray  that  the  sinful  man 
might  be  long  spared,  that  he  might  have  opportunity 
to  repent. 

"  Him  repent !  "  cried  Wilkins  ;  "  bless  you,  master, 
ye  might  as  lief  look  to  Miss  here  turning  bush-ranger  ! 
It 's  not  in  him.  He  were  just  born  for  nought  but  to 
die  a  rascal,  and  that  he  '11  do,  and  no  mistake  ! " 

"  It  is  a  mistake,  rash  man  !  "  replied  Mr.  Mayburn. 
"  God  sent  no  man  into  the  world  marked  for  perdition. 
There  is  ever  a  door  open  that  the  vilest  may  enter. 
Let  us  all  pray  that  he  may  find  that  door  ;  and  if  God 
permit  me,  I  would  gladly  use  my  humble  efforts  to 
reclaim  the  wretched  sinner." 

"  Well,  all  I  can  say  is,  sir,"  answered  Wilkins,  "  God 
send  ye  may  never  have  a  chance.  Ye  're  a  deal  ower 


THE    CANOES    FINISHED.  109 

good  to  be  thrawn  away  in  running  efter  such  a  rogue, 
and  ten  to  one  he  'd  twist  yer  neck  if  ye  said  a  word  to 
him." 

Wilkins  could  not  be  convinced  that  there  was  any 
hope  for  Black  Peter  ;  and  Margaret  besought  her 
father  henceforth  to  talk  to  the  ignorant  man  of  his 
own  peril,  rather  than  of  that  of  his  worthless  comrade ; 
of  whom  he  was  not  yet  in  a  frame  of  mind  to  tolerate 
the  mention. 

The  bark  canoe  was  now  begun  in  earnest.  It  was 
twelve  feet  in  length,  and  broad  enough  to  admit  two 
persons  seated  on  the  bottom,  for  benches  they  did  not 
venture  to  introduce.  The  ends  were  closed  firmly 
with  the  stringy  fibres  of  the  tree  named  the  "  stringy 
bark  tree,"  as  the  tough  fibres  of  this  bark  seemed 
more  suitable  for  the  purpose  than  the  hemp-twisted 
ropes  found  in  the  ship. 

Ten  days  completed  the  first  canoe,  and  hardened 
the  gum  used  to  coat  it.  Paddles  and  oars  were  added, 
and  then  the  workmen  fondly  looked  upon  it  as  a  suc- 
cess, and  Jack  was  sanguine  in  his  expectation  that  in 
fair  weather  it  must  reach  the  mainland  safely.  But  it 
was  not  large  enough  to  contain  the  whole  party,  and  a 
second  visit  to  the  interior  was  necessary,  and  a  second 
gum-tree  was  barked.  At  this  visit,  and  on  several  oc- 
casions, the  younger  boys  looked  out  on  the  coast  for 
traces  of  the  natives,  but  all  continued  so  tranquil  that 
they  began  to  hope  they  should  not  again  be  disturbed. 

Before  they  began  to  make  the  second  canoe  they 
made  a  trial  of  the  first,  by  carefully  conveying  it  over 
the  reefs,  and  launching  it  beyond  them.  Wilkins  of- 
fered to  take  it  alone ;  but  Jack  chose  to  accompany 
him,  that  he  might  note  any  imperfection  and  correct 
10 


110  A    CATAMARAW. 

it.  It  floated  beautifully,  was  easily  governed,  -and  the 
workmen  were  full  of  pride  and  hope  as  they  deposited 
their  canoe  in  the  cave,  and  turned  to  work  at  another. 

"  If  we  can  but  succeed  as  well  with  the  next,"  said 
Jack,  "  we  shall  have  nothing  to  dread  but  a  gale,  or 
too  heavy  a  loading.  Let  us  consider,  Mr.  Arthur  ;  we 
shall  be  four  in  the  first  boat,  and  five  in  the  second. 
Five  will  be  too  many  for  it,  sir." 

"  And  my  clothes,"  said  Margaret,  "  the  gun,  knives, 
and  axe,  with  all  our  table  utensils,  besides  necessary 
provisions.  How  are  they  to  be  stowed  ?  " 

All  were  silent ;  for  to  stow  all  these  things  besides 
the  four  passengers,  would  be  more  dangerous  than 
even  the  fifth  person. 

"  I  say,  Jack,  my  lad,"  said  Wilkins,  u  ye  '11  have  to 
rig  up  a  catamaran,  like  them  they  have  down  yonder, 
to  land  folks  over  a  high  surf.  I  'se  see  and  manage  it 
myself,  and  then  ye  '11  be  shot  of  me.  Ye  ken  I  'se  a 
good-to-nought ;  and  maybe  I  'd  be  bringing  down  a 
storm  on  ye  all,  like  that  Jonah  as  master  was  read- 
ing on." 

Though  Mr.  May  burn  assured  Wilkins  God  would 
not  pour  his  vengeance  on  them  for  protecting  a  man 
who  had  shown  some  hopes  of  amendment,  the  sugges- 
tion of  Wilkins  was  fully  approved.  A  catamaran  was 
obviously  desirable,  and  as  soon  as  the  second  canoe 
was  completed,  they  set  to  work,  lopped  the  stems  of 
the  mangrove,  and  lashed  them  together  to  form  as 
large  a  raft  as  they  required.  This  they  surrounded 
with  a  frame  of  thin  wood,  and  the  catamaran  was  com- 
pleted to  the  satisfaction  of  the  workmen,  ready  for  the 
cargo  to  be  tied  to  it.  Gerald  named  it  the  luggage- 
van,  and  declared  he  would  certainly  take  his  passage 
on  it. 


JL   FOKAGING    EXPEDITION.  Ill 

"When  all  was  finished,  it  became  an  object  of  con- 
sideration what  might  be  the  nature  of  the  coast  they 
should  land  upon.  They  had  read  that  many  parts  of 
the  west  coast  of  Australia  were  mere  deserts,  arid  and 
barren,  without  food  or  water,  and  they  knew  not  but 
they  might  be  driven  on  such  an  inhospitable  shore.  It 
was  therefore  advisable,  before  they  abandoned  the 
plenty  that  now  surrounded  them,  that  they  should  col- 
lect stores  for  possible  contingencies.  The  brandy  cask 
they  had  found  in  the  wreck  was  large ;  this,  before 
they  embarked,  they  proposed  to  fill  with  fresh  water 
from  the  tank,  the  most  important  provision  for  the  voy- 
age. And  for  the  rest,  one  fine  morning  the  whole 
party  set  out  with  bags  and  baskets  on  a  foraging  expe- 
dition to  obtain  food  to  victual  their  fleet. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

The  Foray.  —  Young  Potatoes.  —  More  Intruders.  —  Ruth's  Intro- 
duction to  the  Savages.  —  The  Sailing  of  the  Fleet.  —  The  Desert 
Shore.  —  The  Giant  Ant-hill.  —  Once  more  at  Sea.  —  A  Storm, 
and  the  Loss  of  the  Catamaran. 

WHEN  they  arrived  at  the  lake,  they  found  the 
margin  crowded  with  the  nests  of  aquatic  birds,  built 
among  the  reeds,  and  a  dozen  fine  ducks  were  soon 
taken.  Ruth  filled  a  large  basket  with  eggs,  and  finally 
a  quantity  of  fish  was  procured.  With  this  ample  pro- 
vision they  turned  homewards;  but  passing  the  plot 
they  had  sowed  with  potatoes  on  their  first  arrival  at 
the  cove,  they  were  astonished  to  see  how  forward  the 
plants  were;  and  on  digging  they  found  young  pota- 
toes, of  which  they  carried  away  a  small  bag ;  but  as 
they  still  had  a  large  supply  of  those  found  in  the 
wreck,  they  left  the  greater  part  for  the  benefit  of  suc- 
ceeding visitors. 

When  they  came  near  the  height  above  the  beach, 
on  which  they  had  first  seen  the  footsteps  of  the  na- 
tives, Hugh  and  Gerald  went  to  the  cliff  to  look  over 
once  more  on  the  well-remembered  spot,  but  started 
back  immediately,  for,  to  their  deep  distress,  they  be- 
held a  considerable  number  of  naked  savages,  painted 
with  white  chalk  in  a  most  frightful  manner,  dancing, 
singing,  and  throwing  up  their  arms  as  if  they  were 
frantic. 

The  boys  made  a  signal  of  silence  to  the  rest ;  but 

(112) 


RUTH    AMONG    THE    SAVAGES.  113 

Ruth,  who  was  always,  as  Jenny  said,  in  the  wrong 
place,  had  followed  the  boys  to  the  cliff,  and,  curious 
to  know  what  they  had  seen  below,  she  leaned  for- 
ward to  look  down  through  an  opening  in  the  bush. 
O'Brien,  alarmed  lest  she  should  be  seen  darted  for- 
ward to  seize  her  arm  and  draw  her  back ;  but  startled 
by  the  action,  and  terrified  by  the  scene  below,  she  lost 
her  balance,  and,  encumbered  with  the  heavy  basket, 
tottered  over  the  edge,  rolled  down  the  steep  cliff 
through  the  crackling,  thorny  brushwood,  and  alighted 
amidst  the  strange  wild  crew  on  the  beach. 

Springing  up  and  looking  round,  the  distracted  girl 
uttered  a  succession  of  shrill  screams,  and  the  natives, 
in  equal  terror  and  amazement,  gazed  on  the  strange 
creature  that  had  so  suddenly  descended  amongst  them. 
Her  hair,  which  was  very  long,  and  of  a  fiery  red  color, 
was  flying  loose  over  her  scarlet  cloak,  her  wild  eyes 
were  starting  from  her  head,  and  her  pallid  face  was 
streaming  with  blood  from  the  scratches  she  had  re- 
ceived in  her  descent.  For  a  moment  the  savages  ap- 
peared paralyzed;  then,  without  looking  round,  they 
fled  to  their  canoes;  and  the  next  minute  were  seen 
paddling  with  all  speed  from  the  shores  haunted  by 
such  a  frightful  spectre. 

By  this  time,  Jack,  in  great  alarm  about  his  sister, 
had  descended  to  the  beach,  and  was  immediately  fol- 
lowed by  the  rest  of  the  young  men ;  and  the  distressed, 
woe-begone  aspect  of  Ruth,  who  continued  to  sob  and 
groan  even  after  her  fears  were  subdued,  made  Gerald 
laugh  heartily,  in  spite  of  the  tragic  consequences  that 
might  have  ensued  from  the  accident. 

"  Come  along,  girl,"  said  Jack,  kindly.  "  Thank  God 
10* 


114  THE    LAW    OF   HONESTY. 

you  are  not  much  worse;  so  what  have  you  to  cry 
about  now  ?  " 

"  It 's  the  eggs,  Jack,"  she  sobbed  out.  "  What  must 
I  do  ?  They  're  all  broken,  and  what  will  Jenny  say 
tome?" 

"  Never  mind  that,"  answered  he ;  "  take  up  your 
basket,  and  come  away  with  me  to  the  lake,  where  you 
can  wash  your  face  and  fill  your  basket  again,  and  make 
the  best  of  a  bad  job." 

Jack's  practical  philosophy  consoled  the  weeping  girl, 
who  collected  more  eggs,  and  soon  recovered  from  the 
distress  of  her  adventure.  The  boys  found  that  the 
timid  natives  had  left  behind  them  in  their  fright  spears, 
boomerangs,  and  some  excellent  cordage,  twisted  of  the 
fibres  of  the  stringy  bark  tree.  Wilkins  would  gladly 
have  carried  off  these,  and  unwillingly  relinquished 
them  at  the  command  of  Mr.  Mayburn.  "  What  mat- 
ters," said  he,  "standing  on  ceremony  with  them  there 
black  fellows.  Why,  they  would  niver  ax  your  leave 
to  snatch  t'  bite  out  of  yer  mouth  ! "  which  observation 
drew  down  on  Wilkins  a  rebuke  from  Mr.  Mayburn, 
and  an  exposition  of  the  law  of  honesty,  as  established 
by  God  and  man. 

All  the  property  of  the  natives  was  therefore  left 
untouched,  and  the  family  returned  to  their  own  quiet 
nook,  now  more  anxious  than  ever  to  leave  a  place  to 
which  curiosity,  or  the  desire  to  recover  their  weapons, 
might  at  any  moment  bring  back  the  late  undesirable 
visitors. 

Every  one  was  now  busily  employed :  a  small  num- 
ber of  potatoes  were  %gain  planted,  and  the  remainder 
of  their  store  packed  in  sail-cloth  bags.  The  ducks 


THE    EMBARKATION.  115 

and  fish  were  cooked;  the  eggs  of  the  wild-fowl,  as 
well  as  a  quantity  which  Ruth's  poultry  had  produced, 
were  boiled  hard,  and  packed  with  soft  grass  in  a  box. 
The  water-cask  was  filled;  and  then  all  the  packages 
and  provisions  were  lashed  securely  to  the  raft, 
which  they  had  finished  by  a  mast  and  sail  made 
from  some  rent  remains  of  canvas  on  the  masts  of 
the  wreck. 

The  large  sail  wmch  had  formed  the  tent  cover  was 
spread  over  the  whole  of  the  freightage  and  nailed 
down.  Then  the  bottoms  of  the  canoes  were  spread 
with  fine  grass  for  seats,  and  after  a  thanksgiving  to 
God,  who  had  given  them  the  power  and  the  means  to 
accomplish  this  important  undertaking,  the  family  lay 
down  in  the  balmy,  dry,  spring  air  of  that  delicious 
climate,  to  take  their  last  night's  rest  on  the  friendly 
isle. 

The  first  dawn  of  morning  roused  them  to  action. 
Spies  were  sent  to  the  heights  to  ascertain  that  the 
coast  was  quiet;  then  the  first  canoe,  containing  Mr. 
Mayburn  and  Margaret,  Arthur  and  Hugh,  was 
launched,  and  carried  safely  over  the  reefs.  Jack 
and  O'Brien,  with  Jenny  and  Ruth,  filled  the  second, 
and  Wilkins  followed,  paddling  the  heavy  raft. 

"  I  'm  not  easy  in  my  mind,  Jack,"  said  nurse,  "  for 
Master  Gerald  is  up  to  any  mischief;  and  if  he  sets 
Ruth  on,  we  'se  all  be  drowned." 

"  Keep  your  eyes  on  her,  Mrs.  Wilson,"  answered 
Jack  ;  "  and  if  she  will  not  sit  still,  we  '11  have  her  tied 
upon  Wilkins's  catamaran."  O'Brien's  laughter  at  the 
idea  of  Ruth  being  stowed  with  the  luggage,  made  the 
poor  girl  shed  tears ;  but  she  was  comforted  with  the 


116  A    SIGHT    OF    THE    MAIN   LAND. 

care   her  chickens   required,   she    having  persisted  in 
retaining  the  charge  of  her  pets. 

For  an  hour  they  labored  steadily,  without  any 
rest,  till  a  westerly  breeze  got. up,  and  Wilkins,  to  his 
great  relief,  was  able  to  hoist  his  sail ;  for  he  had  pre- 
viously been  crying  out  for  a  helping  hand.  Then  the 
catamaran  floated  briskly  over  the  waves,  which  were, 
however,  a  little  more  raised  by  the  wind  than  was 
pleasant  for  the  slender  canoes.  But  even  the  most 
timid  took  courage  when  the  long  line  of  low  coast  be- 
came plainly  visible.  No  threatening  rocks  or  foaming 
breakers  appeared  to  create  terror ;  and  all  seemed  so 
favorable  to  the  voyage  of  the  unskilled  mariners,  that 
they  began  to  be  fastidious  in  their  choice  of  a  landing- 
place. 

"  Let  us  coast  awhile,  Arty,"  said  Hugh,  "  till  we 
come  to  the  mouth  of  a  river,  which  will  insure  us  a 
fertile  coast.  There  is  no  occasion  for  us  to  land  on  a 
desert." 

"  There  would  only  be  one  danger  in  such  a  choice," 
replied  Arthur,  — "  The  natives  may  also  prefer  the 
fertile  coast,  and  would  be  likely  to  oppose  the  land- 
ing of  intruders.  I  think  I  should  prefer  to  land 
at  first  on  an  uninhabited  spot.  We  could  then 
examine  the  country,  and  determine  our  future 
course.  It  appears  to  me,  as  we  draw  nearer,  and 
can  observe  the  low  coast  opposite  to  us,  that  the 
landing  would  suit  our  canoes.  What  do  you  say, 
papa  ?  " 

"  I  think  you  are  right,  Arthur,"  answered  he.  "  I 
see  trees  above  the  beach;  and  surely  I  distinguish 
large  birds  on  the  shore,  a  still  more  encouraging 
prospect." 


NATIVES    ON    THE    COAST.  117 

Margaret  looked  intently  for  some  time  in  silence; 
then,  turning  to  her  brother,  she  said,  "Are  those 
figures  we  see  really  birds,  Arthur?*' 

Arthur  looked  round  once  more  towards  the  coast, 
and  then,  calling  out  to  the  other  boats,  "  South ! 
south ! "  he  altered  the  direction  of  the  canoe,  and 
said,  — 

"  After  all,  papa,  we  must  coast  a  few  miles,  at  least ; 
for  those  figures  are  the  natives,  who  are,  as  I  now  see, 
armed  with  spears,  and  will  probably  resist  our  landing, 
regarding  us  as  foreign  invaders.  We  must  not  begin 
our  pilgrimage  by  going  to  war.'* 

"Do  you  think  Peter  is  with  them?"  asked  Hugh. 

"  I  do  not  suspect  that  he  is,"  said  Arthur.  "  I  fancy 
Peter's  associates  were  islanders;  but  we  must  avoid 
all  intercourse  with  the  natives  as  long  as  we  can." 

"  How  glad  I  am,  brother,"  said  Margaret,  "  that  we 
are  sailing  south.  How  happy  we  should  all  be  if  we 
could  ever  reach  the  dear  Deverells." 

"  My  dear  sister,"  answered  Arthur,  laughing,  "  you 
surely  do  not  expect  that  we  can  voyage  along  the 
whole  coast  of  West  Australia  in  these  shells.  If  we 
ever  purpose  to  meet  the  Deverells  again,  we  must 
have  stout  vessels  for  the  sea,  and  wagons  and  horses 
for  the  land  journey ;  which  could  only  be  obtained 
by  the  influence  of  some  powerful  fairy  in  our  present 
desolate  position." 

"Nevertheless,  Arthur,"  said  his  father,  "if  God 
permits  us  to  set  our  feet  on  that  continent  in  safety, 
my  aim  shall  be  to  discover,  if  possible,  the  estate  of 
that  estimable  young  man ;  and  to  offer  myself  to 
undertake  the  church  of  his  new  colony.  I  now  despair 


118  AN    UNKNOWN    COAST. 

of  ever  reaching  my  destination  in  India,  and  my  heart 
and  my  wishes  point  to  Daisy  Grange." 

The  eyes  of  his  children  sparkled  as  they  listened  to 
the  speculations  of  their  father ;  though  Arthur  smiled 
and  shook  his  head,  and  Margaret  sighed,  as  they 
thought  on  the  difficulties  of  so  prodigious  an  attempt. 

"  Never  despair,  Meggie,"  said  Hugh ;  "  we  '11  do  it. 
We  are  all  strong  fellows,  in  sound  health,  and  I  flatter 
myself  tolerably  ingenious.  I  feel  full  of  resources, 
and  Jack  is  a  mine  of  wealth.  If  we  succeed  in  cross- 
ing the  sea  in  these  slender  toy  boats,  I  do  not  see  why 
we  should  not  traverse  the  whole  continent  of  Austra- 
lia, with  our  stout  frames  and  bold  hearts." 

"  To  me,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  "  it  would  be  the  real- 
ization of  a  long-indulged  dream  to  set  my  foot  in  a 
new  and  lovely  world, 

'  To  slowly  trace  the  forest's  shady  scene, 
Where  things  that  own  not  man's  dominion  dwell, 
And  mortal  foot  hath  ne  'er  or  rarely  been.' 

Yes,  my  children,  I  also  believe  that,  by  God's  help,  we 
may  penetrate  the  wilderness,  and  look  on  wondeii 
hidden  since  the  day  of  creation.  I  am  content  to 
encounter  hardships.  Let  us  go  on." 

"  But,  papa,"  answered  Arthur,  "  c'est  le  premier  pas 
qui  coute ;  and  this  first  step  we  have  yet  to  make  — 
the  step  upon  terra  Jirma.  Margaret  thinks  that  must 
be  very  easy ;  but  we  poor  mariners,  who  know  '  the 
dangers  of  the  seas/  have  some  notion  of  the  difficulties 
of  landing  a  bark  canoe  on  an  unknown  coast,  without 
rudder,  lead,  anchor,  or  any  nautical  appliance  ;  and  not 
one  amongst  us,  as  you  know,  papa,  far  advanced  in  the 
study  of  the  grand  science  of  navigation." 


DIFFICULTIES    OF    LANDING.  119 

"  That  is  wholly  my  fault,  my  boys,"  answered  Mr. 
Mayburn.  "  I  ought  to  have  arranged  that  the  charm- 
ing science  of  navigation  should  form  one  of  your 
mathematical  recreations ;  but  I  never  dreamed  that 
you  would  be  called  upon  to  make  use  of  a  branch  of 
knowledge  so  rarely  cultivated  in  the  quiet  life  of 
retirement  to  which  we  were  called.  But  are  we  not 
some  miles  from  those  threatening  savages  now, 
Arthur?" 

"  Not  quite  far  enough,  sir,"  said  Arthur.  "  They 
may  have  watched,  and  intend  to  follow  us.  We  will 
put  a  dozen  miles  between  us  before  we  make  for  the 
shore.  But  I  see  poor  Wilkins  is  quite  worn  out,  and, 
as  his  sail  is  useless  now,  I  must  spare  you  to  help  him, 
Hugh,  and  papa  will  take  an  oar." 

They  approached  near  enough  to  mark  the  variations 
of  the  coast,  now  flat  and  sandy,  then  rugged,  and 
occasionally  bristling  with  rocks,  which  would  have  torn 
their  little  bark  to  shivers  if  they  had  encountered 
them.  At  last  every  arm  was  exhausted,  and  the 
opposite  coast  being  low  and  untenanted,  they  rowed 
up  to  it  with  caution,  looked  keenly  round  for  reefs  and 
hidden  rocks,  of  which  they  were  in  great  dread. 

"  Let  us  run  in  first,"  shouted  Wilkins  from  his  raft. 
"  We  can  bide  a  shock  better  nor  ye,  and  likely  we  may 
help  ye  out  of  yer  troubles  a  bit,  when  we  've  gotten 
this  ugly  craft  landed." 

Margaret  felt  some  alarm  for  Hugh;  but  Arthur 
reminded  her  that  Wilkins  was,  in  fact,  the  only  sailor 
amongst  them;  besides,  rough  as  he  was,  he  was  too 
much  attached  to  the  boy  to  lead  him  into  any  danger. 
So  the  canoes  lay  to,  watching  the  clumsy  catamaran 
paddled  into  shallow  water,  Then  they  saw  Wilkins 


120          THE  VOYAGERS  ON  SHORE. 

wade  to  shore,  towing  in  his  raft  with  a  rope,  till  at 
length,  by  the  aid  of  Hugh,  it  was  safely  drawn  on  a 
low,  broad,  sandy  beach. 

Wilkins  then  hailed  Arthur,  pointed  out  the  mode 
of  bringing  in  the  canoes ;  and  wading  out  breast-high 
in  the  water  to  assist  him,  finally  all  were  happily 
landed. 

"  There 's  an  ugly  sand-bank  just  out  yonder,"  said 
Wilkins,  "  and  I  were  feared  ye  might  run  atop  on  it. 
Now  ye  niver  thought,  master,  these  bits  of  cockle- 
shells should  turn  out  grand  sailers  as  they  are.  I  say, 
Jack,  man,  ye  '11  try  a  three-decker  next,  I  reckon." 

Wilkins  was  in  high  good-humor,  tired  as  he  was, 
with  his  successful  voyage ;  and  declared  Hugh  was  a 
clever  little  chap,  and  he  liked  him  better  than  any 
other  lad  he  had  ever  seen.  And  now  Margaret  saw, 
with  a  hopeful  heart,  that  the  man  was  really  changed ; 
his  rough  and  lowering  countenance  began  to  look 
brighter ;  and  the  desperate  convict  was  thus  providen- 
tially led  into  the  path  of  reformation. 

"  Now  that  we  are  really  landed,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn, 
"  I  would  ask  what  we  are  to  do." 

"  I  should  answer,  papa,"  said  Hugh,  "  let  us  eat, 
and  rest ;  for  you  have  no  idea  how  tired  and  hungry 
Wilkins  and  I  are." 

All  declared  the  suggestion  was  excellent,  and  while 
the  provisions  were  got  from  the  catamaran,  Arthur 
walked  a  little  way  from  the  beach  to  inspect  the 
country,  and  saw  before  him  only  a  wide  bare  plain, 
skirted  towards  the  sea  by  a  few  mangroves,  and  appar- 
ently devoid  of  all  inhabitants,  rational  or  brute.  This 
was  not  a  promising  prospect ;  all  that  could  be  said  of 
it  was,  that  it  was  quiet ;  though  they  were  dreadfully 


A    WALK    INLAND.  121 

annoyed  by  the  mosquitos  when  they  they  sat  down  to 
dinner  under  the  shade  afforded  by  the  mangroves. 

As  they  ate  their  wild  duck,  they  seriously  discussed 
the  future.  They  were  reluctant  to  set  out  over  the 
plains  and  abandon  their  little  fleet,  lest  circumstances 
should  render  it  necessary  to  resume  their  voyage. 

"  What  say  you,  Hugh,  my  boy,"  said  Gerald,  "  if 
you  and  I  were  to  take  a  run  across  these  downs,  and 
look  out  for  a  pleasant  place  for  an  encampment,  out  of 
the  way  of  these  rascally  stinging  beasts  ?  " 

"  What  say  you,  Arthur,"  asked  Hugh,  "  will  your 
excellency  permit  two  of  your  humble  servants  to  set 
out  on  an  exploring  expedition  ?  " 

u  I  think  it  would  be  more  prudent  for  his  excellency 
to  command  the  expedition  in  person,"  said  Arthur;  "I 
dare  not  trust  you,  my  thoughtless  lads,  and  we  can 
leave  a  safe  protection  for  the  garrison  in  our  two  he- 
roes, Jack  and  Wilkins ;  therefore  let  us  march  at  once. 
Take  the  gun  out  of  its  case,  and  give  it  into  my 
charge ;  and  you  can  carry  the  spears  and  throwing- 
sticks." 

The  young  men  had  completed,  while  in  the  island,  a 
number  of  spears  and  throwing-sticks,  from  the  models 
of  those  left  behind  by  the  natives  ;  they  had  even 
successfully  imitated  the  boomerang,  —  that  mysterious 
weapon  of  warfare,  so  eccentric  in  its  movements,  and 
so  remarkable  in  its  effect;  but  they  had  not  yet  at- 
tained the  art  of  casting  it.  Bows  and  arrows  had  been 
commenced,  and  these  Jack  undertook  to  employ  him- 
self in  completing  during  their  absence. 

Though  Arthur  was  a  prudent  and  safe  protector  for 
his  young  brothers,  and  Wilkins  and  Jack  were  power- 
ful defenders  to  leave  behind,  the  family  did  not  sepa- 
11 


122  THE    DESERT    SHORE. 

rate  without  considerable  anxiety.  The  young  men 
crossed  the  plains  directly  from  the  beach,  satisfied  that 
they  were  in  safety  on  that  vast  open  waste,  on  which 
not  even  a  growth  of  brushwood  offered  concealment 
for  a  foe.  A  loose,  sandy  soil,  covered  with  thin,  brown 
grass,  gave  to  these  sterile  downs  the  appearance  of  a 
perfect  desert.  To  crown  all,  they  could  not  see  in  any 
direction  the  indication  of  water ;  and,  thankful  that 
they  had  brought  a  supply  of  this  precious  necessary  of 
existence  from  the  island  that  would  last  them  for  many 
days,  Arthur  still  felt  every  moment  more  convinced 
that  it  would  be  folly  to  linger  on  this  inhospitable 
coast,  where,  unfurnished  with  any  means  of  hastening 
their  progress  to  a  more  fertile  region,  they  should  be 
in  danger  of  perishing  with  famine. 

"  We  shall  have  to  try  the  canoes  again,  Hugh,"  said 
he. 

"  It  would  be  all  very  good  fun,"  said  Gerald,  "  if  it 
was  not  such  hard  work.  And  it 's  little  use  hoisting  a 
sail,  for  ten  to  one  we  shall  have  a  contrary  wind." 

"  I  hardly  think  the  odds  are  so  great  as  that  against 
a  fair  wind  my  boy,"  answered  Arthur ;  "  but  at  all 
events  hard  work  is  better  than  hard  fare.  So  we  must 
just  get  such  a  night's  rest  as  the  mosquitos  will  per- 
mit us,  and  then  try  a  bit  of  coasting  in  the  morning. 
We  can  hardly  come  on  a  more  cheerless  coast  than 
this." 

"  What  in  the  world  is  that  before  us,  Arthur  ?  "  ex- 
claimed Hugh.  "  This  coast  must  be  inhabited,  for  this 
erection  is  certainly  the  work  of  man's  hand.  It  is  one 
of  the  pyramids  of  Egypt  in  miniature." 

"  No,  Hugh,  man's  hand  has  never  meddled  with  this 
structure,"  replied  Arthur.  "  I  recognize  it  from  de- 


THE    ANT-HILL.  123 

scription  as  one  of  the  marvels  of  insect  industry  — 
an  ant-hill.  Observe  the  skill  and  ingenuity  that  must 
have  been  displayed  to  construct  this  huge  abode  for  a 
countless  nation.  This  firm  yellow  clay  is  now  so  hard- 
ened that  without  some  tools  we  could  scarcely  over- 
throw it." 

"  I  see  no  entrance,"  said  Hugh,  "  is  it  possible  that 
it  is  inhabited  ?  " 

"  Look  here,  close  to  the  ground,"  answered  Arthur, 
"  at  this  tiny  speck  of  an  aperture,  from  which  I  have 
just  seen  a  diminutive  insect  emerge !  and  it  has  been 
remarked,  that  these  creatures,  the  smallest  of  their 
species,  erect  themselves  the  most  lofty  abodes.  This 
must  be  eight  feet  in  height,  and  wonderful  as  it  ap- 
pears externally  as  the  work  of  that  minute  creature, 
the  interior,  we  read,  is  still  more  astonishing  —  a  mir- 
acle of  perfection  in  art." 

"  Let  us  open  it,  Arthur,  and  have  a  peep  at  the 
curious  little  nation,"  said  Gerald. 

"  And  thus  destroy  the  labor  of  thousands  ! "  an- 
swered Arthur.  "  No,  Gerald,  you  would  surely  never 
wish  to  be  so  wantonly  destructive.  We  had  better 
remember  the  advice  of  Solomon,  '  Consider  its  ways, 
and  be  wise.' " 

"Margaret  will  laugh  at  our  exploits  as  foragers," 
said  Hugh.  "  We  have  certainly  seen  an  ant-hill,  but 
we  have  not  even  found  an  egg  to  carry  home.  I  wish 
we  could  pick  up  any  token  of  life  or  vegetation  in  this 
desert.  Let  us  make  a  little  tour.  Arthur.  I  have  my 
eye  on  our  landmark,  that  tall,  bare,  spectral  man- 
grove." 

Arthur  did  not  object  to  walk  a  short  distance 
towards  the  south,  anxious  to  obtain  a  more  extensive 


124  DISAPPOINTMENT. 

view  of  the  coast ;  but  they  went  over  the  bare,  un- 
interesting soil  for  two  hours  without  any  satisfaction. 
A  single  dry,  withered  acacia  spread  its  thin  branches 
before  them ;  and  Arthur  was  glad  to  climb  it  to  ex- 
tend his  view  along  the  coast  line.  But  all  appeared 
desolation  :  not  a  hill,  a  rock,  or  a  green  fringe  to  de- 
note vegetation  or  water.  He  descended,  much  disap- 
pointed, and  silently  and  thoughtfully  they  directed 
their  steps  to  the  boats. 

It  was  night  before  they  reached  their  anxious 
friends,  who  saw  in  their  jaded  and  melancholy  coun- 
tenances the  disappointment  of  their  hopes. 

"  Did  n't  I  tell  ye  all  along,"  grumbled  Wilkins,  "  as 
how  north  were  yer  point,  and  ye  '11  have  to  make  a 
north  course,  after  all.  I  've  run  along  this  here  coast 
long  afore  this,  and  I  say  again,  ye  '11  find  neither  meat 
nor  water  for  hundreds  of  miles  down  south." 

"I  must  allow,  Wilkins,"  answered  Arthur,  "that 
voyagers  have  ever  stated  that  this  coast  from  the 
eighteenth  to  the  twenty-fifth  degree  of  latitude  is  cer- 
tainly desert ;  and  that  in  the  lower  latitudes  it  is  fer- 
tile and  well  watered  ;  but  by  returning  north  we  are 
flying  from  the  aim  of  our  hopes,  and  must  necessarily 
risk  encounters  with  the  natives." 

Margaret  sighed  as  she  thought  of  removing  still 
further  from  the  Deverells,  and  Wilkins  said,  — 

"  Never  ye  heed  them  black  fellows  ;  they  're  nought 
but  a  set  of  reet  down  cowards,  to  be  fled  away  by  that 
silly  bit  lass.  We  're  six  clever  chaps  again  'em,  and 
if  we  bully  a  bit  at  first,  we  'se  drive  'em  afore  us  like 
sheep." 

Mr.  Mayburn  shook  his  head,  and  Arthur  had  some 
doubts  of  such  an  easy  victory ;  but  it  was  expedient 


AFLOAT    ONCE    MORE.  125 

to  keep  up  the  spirit  of  the  party,  and  he  made  no 
answer.  Then,  mortifying  as  it  was  to  retrace  their 
course,  it  was  finally  agreed  they  should  sail  north  next 
morning,  keeping  in  sight  of  the  coast,  and  avoiding 
the  landing-place  where  they  had  seen  the  natives  the 
previous  day.  They  proposed  to  seek  the  mouth  of  a 
a  river,  if  they  could  possibly  discover  one,  which 
might  form  an  easy  mode  of  access  to  the  interior. 

Jack  had  during  the  day  carefully  examined  tne 
canoes,  added  a  fresh  coating  of  the  gum,  which  he  had 
brought  with  him,  and  lashed  the  timbers  of  the  raft 
tight  and  firm.  Then,  after  an  uneasy  night  of  vex- 
atious contentions  with  the  mosquitos,  they  breakfasted, 
prayed  for  God's  blessing  on  their  perilous  enterprise, 
and  once  more  committed  themselves  to  the  ocean. 

Since  they  first  landed  on  their  little  island,  the 
weather  had  continued  to  be  invariably  calm  and 
beautiful,  and  even  the  thoughtless  Ruth  and  the  rude 
convict  seemed  to  be  struck  with  the  "  witchery  of  the 
clear  blue  sky,"  while  the  more  intelligent  did  not  for- 
get to  thank  their  bounteous  Creator,  who  had  tempered 
their  little  trials  with  this  blessing.  Now,  cheered 
by  the  bright  sky  and  the  fresh  sea  breeze,  the  young 
rowers  plied  their  oars  with  willing  hands,  singing 
merrily  as  they  urged  their  fragile  barks  over  the  light 
curling  waves. 

Hugh  had  joined  "Wilkins,  as  on  the  previous  day, 
and,  favored  by  a  south  wind  they  spread  the  sail. 
Wilkins,  however,  augured  no  good  of  this  favorable 
breeze,  declaring  the  south  wind  was  always  the  fore- 
runner of  a  storm  ;  but  they  might  as  well  make  the 
best  of  a  bad  job,  by  easing  their  arms  a  bit.  But  for 
many  hours  they  sailed  on  favorably  and  uninterrupt- 
11* 


126  THREATENING    NATIVES. 

edly,  for  Margaret  had  taken  care  that  each  canoe 
should  be  amply  provisioned  for  the  day.  When  they 
passed  that  part  of  the  coast  where  the  natives  had 
been  assembled  on  the  previous  day,  they  saw  that  it 
was  now  untenanted ;  but  they  felt  no  inclination  to 
visit  a  locality  so  frequented,  so  continued  their  voy- 
age ;  and  on  passing  a  hilly  shore  about  a  mile  further 
north,  they  not  only  saw  the  people  collected  in  num- 
bers and  waving  their  spears,  but  could  hear  their  yells 
as  they  entured  to  approach  within  a  mile  of  the 
shore. 

"  I  say,  Wilkins,  my  man,"  said  Hugh.  "  Do  you 
fancy  our  little  troop  could  drive  all  that  lot  of  .fellows 
before  us  like  a  flock  of  sheep?  I  should  hardly  like  to 
make  the  experiment,  unless  each  of  us  was  armed 
with  a  good  rifle." 

"That's  just  what  we  want,  Master  Hugh,"  replied 
Wilkins.  "  It  were  just  that  there  gun,  as  I  grudged 
that  rogue  Peter  a  vast  deal  more  nor  bags  of  bread 
and  such  like.  If  we'd  had  a  few  more  guns,  we 
might  have  defied  every  black  fellow  alive  atween  here 
and  Perth.  They  Ve  not  that  sense  to  make  out  what 
it  is,  as  makes  all  that  clatter  and  smoke;  and  it's 
just  because  they  ken  nought  about  it  as  makes  'em  so 
soft.  .  .  .  But,  halloo !  Master  Hugh,  I  don't  half  like 
yon  sky,  we  'se  have  some  weather  afore  long." 

Hugh  hailed  the  canoes,  to  announce  to  Arthur  the 
meteorological  observations  of  Wilkins;  and  as  the 
man  had  certainly  more  experience  than  any  of  the 
party,  they  could  not  help  feeling  a  little  alarmed. 
Arthur  looked  anxiously  towards  the  coast  for  a  favor- 
able landing-place,  but  here,  only  high  bare  cliffs  ran 
along  the  shore,  against  which  the  waves  dashed  with 


A    STORM.  127 

a  fury  that  warned  them  they  must  not  approach 
near. 

Gradually,  the  sky  grew  dark  with  clouds,  the  wind 
was  heard  before  it  was  felt;  and  before  Hugh  and 
Wilkins  could  tear  down  their  rude  sail,  the  raft  was 
whirled  round,  and  hurried  furiously  past  the  canoes 
towards  a  sort  of  eddy  which  was  dashing  and  foaming 
not  a  quarter  of  a  mile  before  them.  With  all  the 
speed  they  could  make,  Arthur  and  his  father  rowed 
forward  to  rescue  Hugh  and  Wilkins,  regardless,  at 
that  moment,  of  the  fate  of  the  raft  itself. 

The  two  men  had  now  got  the  sail  lowered ;  the  raft 
was  dashed  amongst  the  breakers,  but  Arthur's  canoe 
gained  on  them,  and  he  could  hear  Wilkins  hailing 
them,  "  Keep  clear  of  the  eddy ;  and  send  us  a  rope." 
Fortunately  the  mooring  rope  was  still  attached  to  the 
canoe,  and  Arthur  endeavored,  though  many  times 
ineffectually,  to  fling  it  within  reach  of  the  doomed  cat- 
amaran. 

At  length  Wilkins  secured  the  rope,  and  binding  it 
firmly  round  Hugh,  he  flung  the  boy  clear  of  the 
tossing  raft.  Arthur  and  the  half-distracted  father 
hauled  the  rope  gently,  as  long  as  the  poor  lad  seemed 
able  to  contend  against  the  waves,  and  when  he  seemed 
to  have  yielded  to  their  violence,  they  drew  him,  sense- 
less, to  the  canoe.  The  cares  of  Margaret  soon  re- 
stored him,  and  in  the  mean  time  Wilkins  had  plunged 
into  the  boiling  waves,  and  though  a  good  swimmer,  he 
with  much  difficulty  reached  the  canoe,  which  they  saw, 
with  distress,  was  now  far  too  much  laden  in  such  a 
sea. 


CHAPTER    X. 

A  Total  Wreck.  —  An  Unknown  Coast.  —  The  Green  Ants.  —  The 
White  Cockatoo.  —  Waifs.  —  The  Gourd  Tree.  —  The  Fresh- 
water Rivulet.  —  A  River  Voyage  Projected. 

"THE  catamaran  is  lost,  master,"  said  Wilkins,  as 
soon  as  he  could  speak.  "  But  life  afore  property  any 
day,  and  somehow  I've  had  thoughts  of  late  as  how 
I  'se  hardly  fit  to  die.  .  .  .  Now  then ;  look  about  ye, 
young  man.  That  there  eddy 's  a  freshet  ;  there 's  a 
river  comes  in  there,  and  that 's  where  as  we  should  be, 
if  we  can  make  land  cannily.  Here,  auld  master,  lend 
me  them  oars,  and  sit  ye  down  and-  look  after  that 
young  chap." 

Arthur  agreed  with  Wilkins ;  but  it  was  a  perilous 
undertaking  to  carry  the  canoes  over  the  foaming 
breakers,  the  hidden  rocks  of  that  frowning  coast. 
His  own  experience  rendered  him  hopeless  of  ever 
accomplishing  the  task,  and  he  was  now  thankful  for 
the  advice  and  assistance  of  Wilkins. 

"  Then  we  must  tow  them  in  the  other  canoe,"  said 
Arthur.  "  Remember,  Wilkins,  whether  we  be  saved 
or  lost,  we  must  have  them  with  us." 

"  Ay !  ay ! "  answered  he.  "  Let  them  fling  us  their 
tow-rope,  and  do  you  see  to  belay  it  cannily ;  and  if  we 
be  swamped,  look  sharp  and  clutch  Miss  here,  and  make 
a  swim  with  her.  We  're  nigh  shallow  water  now,  and 
we  may  drive  in,  barrin'  rocks." 
(128) 


THE    CANOES    WRECKED.  129 

It  was  only  by  clinging  to  each  other,  that  Margaret 
and  her  father,  as  well  as  the  two  women  in  the  second 
canoe,  were  able  to  keep  their  seats,  as  the  waves  tossed 
up,  whirled,  and  washed  over  their  frail  barks.  Some- 
times they  seemed  to  be  thrown  upon  land,  and  the 
next  wave  carried  them  back  with  it. 

"  Now  then  !  "  cried  Wilkins,  holding  up  his  oar,  and 
signalling  to  Jack  to  follow  his  example.  "  Now,  when 
we  ground  again,  you,  master,  jump  out  and  hold  her 
Lard  for  yer  life." 

The  next  moment  the  canoe  did  ground  with  a  shock, 
and  Wilkins  plunged  the  oar  into  the  sandy  shore,  and 
held  his  ground  firmly  till  Arthur  and  Mr.  Mayburn 
leaped  out  of  the  canoe  and  held  the  prow ;  he  followed 
their  example,  and  though  still  up  to  the  waist  in  water, 
they  grasped  their  charge,  standing  close  to  each  other, 
and  bravely  withstood  the  returning  wave.  Then  rap- 
idly retreating  to  the  shore,  they  easily  drew  after  them 
the  lightened  canoe,  and  placed  it  high  and  dry  on  the 
beach  before  the  next  wave  overtook  them. 

Jack  and  O'Brien,  though  they  at  last  happily  reached 
the  same  haven,  had  not  escaped  without  mishap.  The 
canoe  had  been  capsized  by  the  shock  of  grounding, 
and,  but  for  the  assistance  of  Wilkins,  Ruth  must  have 
been  lost.  She  was  dragged  out  senseless,  but  still 
holding  her  basket  on  her  arm ;  and  her  first  words  on 
her  recovery  were  loud  lamentations  at  the  discovery 
that  two  of  her  fowls  were  drowned. 

In   the  mean  time  the   second   canoe  was  whirling" 

wildly  among  the  breakers,  and  Arthur  called  out  that, 

if  possible,  it  must  be  saved ;  and  all  hands  were  soon 

engaged  in  catching  the  towing-rope,  by  which  they 

9 


130  SAFE    ON    SHORE. 

soon   succeeded  in  drawing  the  shattered  bark  to  the 
beach. 

"  I  think  that  is  a  useless  labor,  Arthur,"  said  Mr. 
Mayburn,  "  for  I  trust  that  none  here  may  ever  again 
be  compelled  to  tempt  the  dangers  of  the  ocean  in  such 
a  frail  and  imperfect  bark.  By  God's  mercy,  our  feet 
are  once  more  upon  the  earth,  the  natural  and  ordained 
locality  of  man.  Byron,  the  wondrous  poet  who  apos- 
trophized the  ocean,  says :  — 

'  His  steps  are  not  upon  thy  paths,  —  thy  fields 
Are  not  a  spoil  for  him,  —  thou  dost  arise 
And  shake  him  from  thee  ! ' " 

"  I  feel,  Arthur,  that  I  am  in  my  proper  place,  and 
desert  or  fruitful,  lonely  or  populous,  I  would  still  remain 
on  land." 

"  So  you  shall,  dear  papa,  if  God  permits  it,"  an- 
swered Arthur ;  "  but  not  on  this  bare  and  comfortless 
strand.  We  must  penetrate  to  a  more  hospitable  region. 
It  was  to  render  this  journey  less  toilsome  to  you  that 
I  meditated  to  secure  and  fit  up  the  canoes,  in  order  to 
use  them  in  ascending  the  river  which  we  see  pouring 
into  the  sea,  and  which  must  be  our  guide  to  the  in- 
terior." 

"  Ay,"  said  "Wilkins,  "  rivers  is  rivers  in  this  queer, 
dry  country ;  and  other  folks  ken  that  as  well  as  us ; 
and  when  ye  light  on  a  sup  of  water,  make  sure  of  find- 
ing a  lot  of  them  black  fellows  gathered  round  it.  But 
ihey  're  no  better  nor  brute  beasts,  and  we  're  a  match 
for  'em  any  day." 

"We  shall  have  to  risk  encountering  them,"  said 
Arthur,  "  for  the  sake  of  providing  ourselves  with  food, 
for  I  fear  we  are  now  reduced  to  absolute  destitution." 


DESTITUTION.  131 

"We  have  Ruth's  plump  chickens,"  said  the  mis- 
chievous O'Brien. 

"  Oh,  Master   Gerald ! "   exclaimed  Ruth,  weeping ;  • 
"and  could  you  have  a  heart  to  kill  the  poor  dumb 
creatures  as  have  lived  wi'  us  so  long  ?  I  would  hunger 
sooner  nor  eat  a  bit  of  one  of  them,  not  if  we  had  fried 
ham  to  it," 

The  volatile  boy  laughed  heartily  at  Ruth's  visionary 
fancy  of  chicken  and  ham ;  and  Margaret  assured  the 
sorrowful  girl  that  only  the  fear  of  starvation  should 
compel  them  to  slay  her  pets,  though  the  two  drowned 
chickens  must  certainly  be  cooked,  and  not  left  on  the 
beach  for  the  gulls. 

They  had  landed  not  far  north  of  the  mouth  of  what 
they  now  found  to  be  a  considerable  river,  to  the  banks 
of  which  they  soon  made  their  way,  and  found  that  it 
ran  between  high  cliffs,  leaving  a  narrow  pathway  at 
the  side,  almost  impassable,  with  huge  fragments  of  rock 
scattered  along  it.  But  they  remained  fixed  in  their 
intention  of  following  up  its  course,  as  the  safest  guide 
in  their  expedition.  But  first  they  must  rest,  and  have 
such  refreshment  as  they  could  obtain,  the  provisions 
in  the  canoes  being  washed  out  in  the  struggle  to  land. 
They  sat  down  under  an  overhanging  cliff,  where  cur- 
tains of  drooping  creeping  plants  shielded  them  from 
the  sun,  the  boys  having  brought  up  stones  for  seats ; 
and,  after  fervent  thanks  for  their  safety,  they  all  felt  a 
peace  and  tranquillity  scarcely  to  be  hoped  for  in  their 
destitute  condition. 

"  It  was  most  fortunate  that  the  rifle  was  with  me  in 
the  canoe,"  said  Arthur,  "  and  safe  in  the  case.  It  is  no 
worse  for  the  immersion.  The  charges  I  always  carry 
in  my  belt  in  the  water-proof  case ;  so  we  are  provided 


132  SHELL-FISH. 

for  defence.  But  the  raft  and  its  precious  contents, 
Margaret ! " 

"Have  trust  in  God,  my  son,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn. 
"  Look  up  at  that  magnificent  snow-white  bird,  one  of 
the  eagle  tribe,  which  is  even  now  soaring  over  our 
heads.  Why  should  we  doubt?  He  who  feeds  the 
fowls  of  the  air  will  not  forget  his  children  on  earth." 

"  Here  are  lots  of  oysters,  papa,"  said  Hugh,  "  and 
Gerald  has  run  after  a  large  crab.  There  will  certainly 
be  turtles  on  the  beach,  and  birds  and  eggs  in  the  cliffs, 
and  then  we  have  water  in  the  river." 

"  But  there 's  not  a  kettle,  nor  a  toasting-fork,"  said 
Ruth  dejectedly. 

"  I  '11  provide  you  with  both,"  answered  the  boy. 
Then  from  the  roots  of  a  mangrove,  which  spread 
below  the  cliffs,  he  tore  down  an  enormous  mussel,  the 
shells  of  which  were  at  least  six  inches  in  length,  and, 
drawing  an  arrow  from  his  belt,  he  gave  both  to  the 
girl,  saying,  "  Here,  Ruth,  are  your  kettles  and  toasting- 
fork." 

A  plentiful,  but  strangely  cooked,  repast  was  soon 
prepared,  consisting  of  the  limbs  of  the  drowned  chick- 
ens, toasted  or  broiled  over  a  fire  of  drift-wood,  and 
served  on  oyster  shells.  Knives  they  had  fortunately 
preserved,  but  nothing  more,  and  they  could  not  help 
feeling  the  want  of  the  common  necessaries  of  social 
life. 

After  dinner  the  young  men  cleared  the  canoes  from 
the  accumulated  weed  and  water,  drew  them  under  the 
shelter  of  the  cliff,  spread  their  boat-cloaks  in  them,  and 
persuaded  Margaret  and  their  father  to  rest,  while  they 
held  council  what  course  to  pursue  next;  but  they 
found  themselves  so  overcome  with  fatigue  and  anxiety, 


GREEN    ANTS.  133 

that  at  the  first  approach  of  darkness  they  all  sought 
rest  under  the  canopy  of  heaven  before  they  should 
commence  their  labors. 

"Are  all  assembled?"  called  Gerald,  at  the  first 
gleam  of  daylight.  "  Hugh  and  I  have  already  been 
at  the  beach,  and  collected  a  hat-full  of  turtles'  eggs  and 
some  wood  for  a  fire.  And  now,  Arthur,  we  are  off  on 
another  excursion ;  we  want  to  climb  the  cliffs,  to  see 
what  sort  of  country  we  have  been  thrown  upon." 

"  Then  you  must  accept  me  for  a  third  in  your  enter- 
prise," answered  Arthur,  "  for  papa  would  not  approve 
of  two  such  wild  fellows  setting  out  alone.  Now, 
nurse,  Hugh  has  made  a  fire  to  roast  us  some  eggs,  and 
with  a  shell  of  cold  water  from  that  jar  we  saved  in  the 
canoe,  we  have  our  breakfast  complete." 

"If  you  could  but  light  on  a  few  leaves  of  tea,  Mr. 
Arthur,"  said  Jenny,  "  I  could  manage  without  milk  and 
sugar ;  but  I  shall  miss  my  drop  of  tea." 

Arthur  could  give  Jenny  no  hopes  of  any  tea-leaves, 
or  even  of  any  substitute  for  that  agreeable  shrub,  but 
he  was  sanguine  about  procuring  eggs,  and  even  birds, 
for  dinner.  Then  promising  to  return  in  an  hour  or 
two,  and  taking  the  gun  with  them,  each  of  the  hardy 
boys  cut  down  a  strong  stick,  and  then  marched  off 
along  the  narrow  pathway  at  the  foot  of  the  high  cliffs 
which  enclosed  the  guiding  river.  After  walking  some 
distance,  the  shelving  rocks,  covered  with  rich  tropical 
creeping  shrubs,  appeared  accessible,  and  they  climbed 
to  the  summit,  shaking  down  upon  them,  as  they  forced 
their  way  through  the  bushes,  multitudes  of  stinging 
green  ants.  Then  they  walked  first  to  the  edge  of  the 
cliffs  that  overhung  the  sea,  and  looked  round  to  observe 
their  position. 

12 


134  THE    WHITE    COCKATOO. 

It  was  plain  that  they  were  now  upon  the  mainland, 
and  that  they  had  been  driven  into  a  wide  bay,  with 
headlands  running  out  on  each  side,  while  the  entrance 
was  barred  by  coral  reefs  which  it  seemed  miraculous 
that  they  should  have  escaped.  Beyond  the  reefs  they 
distinguished  shadowy  dots,  which  they  concluded  were 
small  islets,  probably  similar  to  that  which  had  sheltered 
them  so  long,  and  which  they  now  congratulated  them- 
selves they  had  exchanged  for  a  wider  field  and  more 
promising  prospect  of  reaching  a  permanent  resting- 
place. 

"  How  I  wish  papa  was  here,"  exclaimed  Hugh. 
"  Do  look  at  those  curious  birds,  and  tell  me  what  they 
are,  Arthur.  Oh,  now  I  know  they  must  be  cockatoo?, 
from  their  odd  cry.  Would  it  be  right  to  kill  them  ?  " 

"  I  shall  have  a  shy  at  one,"  said  Gerald,  who  had 
luckily  brought  his  bow  slung  on  his  back ;  and  he 
directly  brought  down  with  an  arrow  a  fine  large  bird 
about  eighteen  inches  in  length,  with  snowy  plumage 
and  a  bright  orange  crest. 

"  What  will  Margaret  say  ?  "  exclaimed  Hugh.  "  But 
it  is  a  handsome  creature,  and  papa  will  be  delighted  to 
preserve  it." 

"  It  must  help  to  preserve  us,"  replied  Arthur,  "  for 
we  are  in  true  need.  We  must  try  to  find  some  nests 
in  the  cliffs,  and  at  least  procure  eggs  to  increase  our 
rations ;  for  a  cockatoo,  which  has  a  large  amount  of 
feather  upon  it,  will  be  but  a  small  dinner  for  nine 
hungry  people." 

They  examined  the  crevices  of  the  rocks,  and  found 
many  nests  of  gulls  and  cockatoos,  containing  eggs  and 
even  tolerable-sized  young  birds,  of  which  they  brought 
away  half  a  dozen,  and  filled  their  pockets  with  eggs, 


WAIFS.  135 

and  then  turned  from  the  coast  to  take  a  glance  inland. 
The  view  before  them  was  wild,  and  scattered  over  with 
rocks,  but  seemed  well  wooded ;  and  from  the  curious 
mingled  cries  from  the  bushes,  they  judged  that  the 
feathered  tribes  were  abundant. 

Then  they  commenced  their  perplexing  descent 
through  the  tangled  bushes,  shaking  off,  as  they  pro- 
ceeded, the  tormenting  ants,  which  ran  over  them  in 
countless  numbers,  each  little  creature  seeming  deter- 
mined to  make  its  presence  felt. 

"  After  our  observations,"  said  Arthur,  "  I  am  still  of 
opinion  that,  if  the  canoes  can  be  repaired,  we  must  try 
to  make  them  useful  in  ascending  the  river,  the  banks 
of  which  promise  to  afford  us  abundant  food ;  while  the 
waters  supply  us  with  their  precious  refreshment.  We 
may  encounter  the  natives,  certainly ;  but  we  shall  be 
able  to  escape  from  them  more  easily  in  the  canoes, 
than  if  we  were  dragging  slowly  on  by  land.  We  must 
begin  immediately  to  fit  them  for  the  voyage." 

"  I  saw  a  fine  gum-tree  above,"  said  Hugh,  "  that  will 
supply  us  with  materials  for  mending  or  making.  We 
must  bring  Jack  here  ;  but  oh  !  Arty,  I  quite  forgot  — 
his  tools  would  be  all  swept  away  with  that  unlucky 
catamaran." 

"It  is  a  most  unfortunate  loss,"  replied  Arthur;  "but 
we  must  not  despair.  If  we  have  not  the  best  means, 
we  must  take  the  next  best ;  we  must  consider  and  con- 
trive, and  not  care  for  hard  work." 

They  returned  with  their  booty,  and  found  Jack 
standing  with  a  pensive  and  disturbed  countenance  over 
the  canoes  ;  while  Wilkins  and  Margaret,  the  tide  being 
now  low,  had  wandered  down  to  the  sea;  where  Gerald 
quickly  followed  them,  and  found  that  their  object  was 


136  SALT    WATER. 

to  watch,  in  hopes  that  any  part  of  the  cargo  of  the 
catamaran  might  be  thrown  on  the  shore.  Their  first 
prize  was  a  locker  filled  with  potatoes,  which  Jack  had 
fortunately  nailed  up  to  prevent  the  water  coming  in, 
and  thus  the  contents  were  quite  uninjured.  But  they 
found  a  greater  treasure  still,  in  the  estimation  of  Mar- 
garet ;  a  portmanteau  of  linen,  which  the  thief  Peter 
had  either  overlooked  or  despised,  and  which  had  been 
one  of  the  greatest  comforts  left  them  in  their  bereaved 
condition.  They  were  fortunately  all  wearing  good 
stout  boots,  and  their  outer  clothing,  in  that  charming 
climate,  was  of  minor  importance. 

The  waifs  were  speedily  removed  from  the  beach  to 
the  encampment,  where  they  found  Jenny  and  Ruth  in 
great  distress. 

"  This  is  worse  than  all,  Miss  Marget,"  said  nurse. 
"  With  that  bright  bonnie  river  running  in  sight  of  us, 
we  have  not  a  sup  of  water  fit  for  a  Christian  to  drink. 
It's  as  salt  as  pickle;  enough  to  poison  one,  and  can 
sarve  for  nothing  that  I  can  think  on,  but  just  to  boil 
fish  in." 

"I  had  not  considered,  Arthur,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn, 
"  till  nurse  made  her  experiment,  that  the  tide  naturally 
rises  up  the  river,  probably  for  many  miles,  thus  cutting 
us  off  from  one  of  the  most  important  necessaries  of 
life.  Now,  perilous  as  it  may  be  to  leave  the  coast,  it 
is  imperative  on  us  to  move,  or  we  must  perish." 

Arthur  reflected  for  a  few  minutes,  and  then  said, 
"  Let  us  have  some  eggs,  Meggie ;  then  Jack  will 
accompany  us,  and  we  will  set  out  to  trace  the  river 
up  the  ravine;  and  I  cannot  but  think  we  shall  cer- 
tainly meet  with  tributary  streams  from  the  hills,  of 
perfectly  fresh  water." 


WANT    OF    TOOLS.  137 

"But  how  shall  we  bring  back  the  supplies  to  the 
camp  ? "  asked  Hugh.  "  We  have  no  vessels  except 
mussel-shells,  or  our  cups." 

"  Oh,  warra ! "  exclaimed  Gerald,  "  if  the  sea  would 
only  be  civil  enough  to  give  us  back  our  water-cask ! 
Could  we  not  go  out  to  the  reefs,  Arthur,  and  look'  for 
it?" 

"It  was  too  heavy  to  be  easily  thrown  on  shore," 
answered  Arthur.  "It  js  most  likely  fixed  in  some 
sand-bank,  whence  it  will  require  a  storm  to  move  it. 
We  must  each  choose  one  of  the  largest  of  the  mussels 
we  saw  this  morning  clinging  to  the  banks,  and  bring 
them  in  filled  with  fresh  water  —  provided  we  meet 
with  the  water  —  carrying  it  as  steadily  as  we  are  able. 
If  we  only  had  the  canoes  in  working  condition,  we 
would  move  at  once  above  the  influence  of  the  tide. 
Can  we  possibly  repair  them,  Jack  ?  We  can  procure 
bark  and  gum." 

Jack  turned  out  the  contents  of  his  pockets  —  neatly 
tied  knots  of  small  cords,  a  clasp  knife,  a  hammer,  and 
about  a  pint  of  nails. 

"  I  always  have  a  hammer  and  a  few  nails  about  me, 
you  see,  Mr.  Arthur,"  said  he,  "  and  if  I  had  but  an  axe 
and  a  saw,  I  'd  not  fear  any  work.  But  it 's  a  sin  to  be 
drowned ;  something  will  be  sure  to  turn  up ;  so  with 
God's  help  we  '11  manage  these  bits  of  boats,  and  then, 
thank  God,  Master  O'Brien  saved  his  bow." 

"  And  here  you  see  the  remains  of  mine,  Jack,"  said 
Hugh.  "  I  have  picked  it  up  on  the  beach.  You  must 
try  and  fit  me  out  again,  and  then  neither  storm  nor 
savage  shall  tear  it  from  me.  Only  think,  papa,  if  I 
had  had  my  bow,  we  might  have  brought  down  a 
splendid  white-headed  hawk !  " 
12* 


138  FRESH    WATER. 

"  Would  that  you  had  succeeded,  my  boy,"  answered 
his  father.  "  A  white-headed  hawk  would  indeed  have 
been  a  gem  in  my  collection,  an  anomaly  in  the  known 
feathered  race.  But,  indeed,  every  living  creature  in 
these  regions  is  an  anomaly  to  all  naturalists.  This 
cockatoo  is  obviously  of  an  antipodean  race.  Its  form, 
habits,  and  peculiar  notes,  mark  it  to  be  of  a  distinct 
and  modern  family,  having  even  little  relation  to  the 
psittacidcB  of  the  ancient  race.  I  am  pleased  with  this 
remarkable  bird,  my  dear  boys,  and  feel  no  inclination 
to  have  it  cooked  and  eaten  like  a  common  barn-door 
fowl." 

"  For  my  part,"  said  Margaret,  "  I  should  feel  less 
remorse  in  devouring  this  stranger  than  one  of  our  old 
familiar  friends,  Ruth's  beloved  pets." 

There  was  a  common  outcry  against  this  household 
homicide,  or  gallicide,  as  Hugh  called  it ;  but  there  were 
young  birds  and  eggs  sufficient  for  the  day's  provision ; 
so  the  cockatoo  was  reprieved,  and  Mr.  Mayburn  care- 
fully preserved  the  bird  in  all  the  glories  of  its  white 
plumage  and  yellow  crest,  so  curiously  movable  at  the 
will  of  the  bird. 

Once  more  the  young  men  set  out  for  the  very  impor- 
tant object  of  discovering  fresh  water;  and  the  tide 
being  down,  they  walked  up  the  margin  of  the  river 
with  less  difficulty  than  in  the  morning,  but  it  was  not 
till  after  they  had  gone  two  or  three  miles  beneath  the 
thickly  covered  cliffs,  which  were  perfectly  alive  with 
multitudes  of  strange  birds,  that  they  came  t9  a  narrow 
ravine,  opening  at  the  north,  from  which  a  low  cascade 
poured  a  clear  but  slender  rill  into  the  river. 

They  at  once  decided  to  ascend  this  branch  stream. 
Its  narrow  bed  was  guarded  by  lofty  rocks,  which  hid 


THE    GLOOMY    GLEN.  139 

from  their  eyes  every  prospect  but  that  of  the  clear 
blue  sky  above  them,  and  their  voices  sounded  hollow 
as  if  from  below  the  ground  ;  but,  to  their  great  satisfac- 
tion, the  water  was  fresh,  clear,  and  cool,  and  no  spark- 
ling champagne  was  ever  enjoyed  more  truly  than  the 
draughts  they  quaffed  from  the  shells  of  the  fresh-water 
mussels  which  were  abundantly  clustered  on  the  banks 
and  strewed  around. 

"  Don't  you  feel,  Gerald,"  said  Hugh,  "  as  if  we 
were  passing  through  some  gloomy  glen  to  arrive  at 
a  grand  old  Moorish  castle  —  full  of  enchantments  of 
course  ?  " 

"  That  'a  a  capital  idea,  Hugh,"  answered  he.  "  Then 
there  will  be  a  beautiful  princess  shut  up  in  the  steel 
tower,  with  a  hideous  black  enchanter  keeping  guard 
over  her,  and  a  fiery  red  dragon  at  the  gate,  and  we 
have  to  conquer  him  with  one  rifle  and  half  a  dozen 
cartridges,  that  we  may  release  the  princess." 

"  Why,  you  Irish  blunderer,"  replied  Hugh,  "  who- 
ever heard  that  either  dragon  or  enchanter  could  be 
overcome  by  powder  and  shot  ?  If  you  have  not  fairy 
patronage,  you  must  have  valor  and  prudence,  and  reso- 
lution ;  and  there  's  Arthur,  though  he  looks  so  meek 
and  quiet,  would  be  the  conquering  hero." 

"  We  will  leave  the  siege  of  the  enchanted  castle  for 
a  more  convenient  opportunity,"  said  Arthur,  "  and  be 
content  to  carry  home  such  valuable  trophies  of  con- 
quest as  a  few  shells  of  fresh  water.  But  why  has 
Hugh  climbed  that  almost  perpendicular  cliff?  " 

"  He  fancied  he  saw  a  palm-tree  on  the  height,"  an- 
swered Gerald ;  "  but  if  it  really  be  a  palm,  I  must  say 
it  is  an  ugly  tree  ;  and,  for  my  part,  I  would  much 
rather  have  found  an  apple-tree,  only,  as  I  suppose 


140  THE    GOURD. 

September  is  spring  in  this  antipodean  world,  the  ap- 
ples could  not  be  ready." 

"  Moreover,  apples  are  not  indigenous  in  Australia," 
said  Arthur ;  "  nor  shall  we,  I  fear,  meet  with  any 
equivalent  fruit.  Some  of  the  palms  are  really  use- 
ful, but  I  cannot  think  what  species  of  palm  that  can 
be." 

A  voice  was  heard  from  above,  commanding  them 
to  clear  the  way,  and  a  huge  gourd  was  hurled  down, 
rolling  to  the  very  edge  of  the  stream.  It  was  plainly 
not  fresh  plucked,  but  must  have  lain  long  on  the 
ground  ;  and  when  Hugh  descended,  disappointed  that 
he  had  not  been  able  to  find  any  fruit  on  the  tree, 
Arthur  explained  that  the  gourds  that  were  known 
were  not  generally  edible,  but  most  useful  as  vessels 
for  holding  water.  Then  Jack  cut  a  hole  in  the  shell, 
which  they  cleansed  from  all  the  decayed  matter,  and 
washed  frequently  to  remove  the  bitter  taste  of  the  con- 
tents. The  gourd  was  slung  by  a  cord,  which  Arthur 
himself  placed  over  his  shoulders,  and  filled  with  the 
fresh  water  for  their  friends. 

Jack  having  found  the  Eucalyptus  or  gum-tree  that 
he  required,  they  stripped  it  of  the  bark,  and,  having 
filled  a  mussel-shell  with  the  fresh  oozing  gum,  they 
returned  to  the  encampment,  well  pleased  with  their 
successful,  though  very  tedious  expedition  ;  for  the 
flowing  tide  made  their  return  along  the  banks  most 
difficult.  In  fact,  Arthur  was  of  opinion  that  if  they 
waited  for  a  spring  tide,  the  river  would  entirely  flood 
the  ravine,  and  render  their  progress  impossible  except 
by  boat. 

"  I  was  not  aware,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  "  that  the 
wide-spreading  but  fastidious  genus  Cucurbita  extended 


THE    CANOES    REPAIRED.  141 

to  these  strange  regions  ;  yet  this  gourd  surely  belongs 
to  it.  I  am  curious  to  see  the  tree,  to  ascertain  if  it 
is  of  any  known  species." 

"  At  all  events,"  said  Margaret,  "  it  will  be  very  use- 
ful to  us.  Its  contents  are  truly  precious,  and  we  are 
most  grateful  to  our  persevering  arid  active  purveyors. 
And  we  welcome  them  heartily  to  their  dinner  of 
broiled  ducklings,  or  whatever  else  these  delicate  little 
birds  may  be  named,  with  one  potatoe  for  each  person, 
which  has  been  boiled  with  salt  water  in  a  mussel- 
shell." 

The  potatoes  were  pronounced  to  be  improved  by 
their  saline  immersion,  and  the  ducklings  had  no  fault 
except  youth  and  leanness.  But  oysters  were  plentiful, 
and  the  report  of  the  explorers  announced  abundance 
in  the  regions  up  the  river ;  so  that  it  was  with  thank- 
ful hearts  the  family  sought  repose  after  their  labors,  to 
fit  them  for  the  renewed  toil  of  the  next  day. 

Jack  commenced  his-  work  at  daylight.  He  fixed 
large  patches  of  bark  with  gum  over  the  weak  or  dam- 
aged part  of  the  canoes,  and  left  them  to  harden  in  the 
sun.  Then,  with  immense  labor,  they  cut  down  with 
their  knives  some  boughs  for  poles  to  propel  the  vessels. 
A  single  oar  had  been  thrown  ashore  by  the  last  tide, 
and  some  broken  spars,  from  which  a  pair  of  short  oars 
were  rudely  formed.  Hugh  and  Gerald  had  been  em- 
ployed in  the  mean  time  in  the  search  for  turtles'  eggs, 
and  had  been  fortunate  enough  to  meet  with  a  quan- 
tity, as  well  as  with  a  small  turtle.  None  of  the  party 
had  much  taste  for  the  rich  food,  but  nothing  eatable 
was  to  be  despised  in  their  situation  ;  so  the  turtle  was 
sacrificed,  and  another  kettle  provided  for  the  cooks. 

"  The  gum  seems  already  hardened  on   the  boats," 


142  THE    CANOES    REPAIRED. 

said  Arthur,  "  and  I  do  not  see,  papa,  that  we  have  any 
temptation  to  remain  on  this  mosquito-haunted  coast 
longer  than  necessary.  In  another  hour  the  tide  will 
be  flowing  up  the  river,  and  will  assist  our  voyage 
greatly.  Shall  we  then  at  once  set  out  on  our  impor- 
tant expedition  ?  " 

"  I  see  the  necessity  of  "it,  my  son,"  answered  Mr. 
Mayburn,  "and  am  satisfied.  Let  us  implore  a  bless- 
ing on  our  undertaking,  and  then  go  forth,  confiding  in 
the  protection  of  the  Most  High." 

Wilkins  attended  the  family  devotions  with  deco- 
rum now ;  but  what  effect  was  produced  in  his  heart 
was  yet  to  be  developed.  Hugh  and  Margaret,  to 
whom  he  listened  more  patiently  than  to  the  rest,  were 
satisfied  that  some  change  was  taking  place  in  the  sin- 
ful man,  and  earnestly  believed  that  he  would,  by  God's 
grace,  be  turned  to  the  truth. 


.CHAPTER   XI. 

The  Voyage  up  the  River.  —  The  Way  to  China.  —  The  Note  of  a 
Strange  Bird.  —  A  Hasty  Flight.  —  A  Tropical  Storm.  —  The  Loss 
of  the  Canoes.  —  The  Cave  of  the  Bats.  —  A  Toilsome  Pilgrim- 
age. 

AFTER  the  fervent  heat  of  noon  had  somewhat  sub- 
sided, the  party  arranged  themselves  in  the  two  canoes, 
and,  aided  by  the  tide,  swept  up  the  river,  which  now 
extended  to  the  cliffs  on  both  sides,  and  effectually  cut 
off  any  passage  by  land.  Occasionally  the  fallen 
masses  of  the  sandstone  rocks,  which  lay  shelving  or 
sloping  to  the  water,  were  covered  with  a  rich  growth 
of  low  entangled  shrubs,  now  bursting  into  flowers  of 
many  a  brilliant  hue  ;  amongst  which  numbers  of  pert, 
noisy,  little  green  or  variegated  parrots  hopped  about, 
chattering  over  these  strange  disturbers  of  their  wonted 
tranquillity. 

"  Charming !  charming !  "  exclaimed  Mr.  Mayburn. 
"  This  is  the  sublime  solitude  of  which  I  have  dreamed 
all  my  life.  How  glorious  it  would  be 

1  To  hold  with  Heaven  communion  meet, 
Meet  for  a  spirit  bound  to  Heaven, — 
And,  in  this  wilderness  beneath, 
Pure  zephyrs  from  above  to  breathe.' 

What  a  completion  of  all  my  hopes  it  would  be,  my 
children,  if  you  could  find  some  quiet  spot  where  we 
might  land,  and  be  content  to  pass  our  lives  upon  it." 

(143) 


144  THE    RIVER    VOYAGE. 

This  desire  of  Mr.  Mayburn  was  received  by  his 
children  with  some  consternation,  while  Ruth,  though 
she  but  vaguely  understood  the  proposal,  looked  round 
at  the  prison-like  rocky  walls,  the  sombre  twilight,  and 
the  dashing  waters,  and  began  to  cry.  .  Even  Wilkins, 
who  heard  all  that  was  said  in  Mr.  Mayburn's  canoe, 
cried  out,  "  Nay,  nay,  master,  that  would  upset  all ;  I  'se 
not  flinch  to  sail  wi'  ye,  or  to  tramp  wi'  ye  ;  but  to  bide 
here  for  good,  among  oysters  and  poll-parrots,  is  what  I 
can't  stand.  It  would  soon  set  me  off  bush-ranging." 

"  We  must  move  onward,  papa,"  said  Arthur,  "  but 
doubtless  we  shall  find,  as  we  proceed,  scenes  that  will 
interest  you  even  more  than  this.  We  may  even  en- 
counter peaceful  tribes  ;  and  though  our  ignorance  of 
their  language  will  prevent  our  holding  any  beneficial 
intercourse  with  them,  we  may  at  all  events  give  them 
an  example  of  kindness  and  forbearance." 

"  And  remember,  papa,"  said  Margaret,  "  we  have  a 
definite  aim  in  our  travels.  We  must  look  forward  to 
the  pleasure  of  joining  our  friends,  the  Deverells." 

"But,  Margaret,"  replied  he,  "how  can  you  hope 
that  we  shall  ever  be  able  to  traverse  the  vast  space 
that  must  separate  us  ?  How  can  you  and  I  penetrate 
forests,  climb  mountains,  or  cross  mighty  rivers  ?  " 

"  Few  of  them  last  to  signify,  master,"  said  Wilkins, 
"  by  yer  leave ;  and  better  for  us  if  we  had  more.  I 
kenned  some  of  our  chaps  down  yonder  as  tired  of 
slavery,  and  what  would  serve  'em  but  be  off  to  Chinee, 
which  they  beared  say  lay  to  t'  north ;  and  reet  glad 
were  they  to  sneak  back  to  hard  work  and  full  rations. 
Why,  they  'd  gone  miles  and  miles  over  dry  sand,  wi' 
niver  a  tree  to  shelter  'em  or  a  sup  of  water  to  drink. 
Where  rivers  ought  to  have  been,  there  were  just  dry 


EVIL    REPORTS.  145 

mud  and  wet  mud,  and  that  were  all.  We  'se  want  no 
boats  in  them  there  rivers." 

"  Pray,  dear  papa,"  said  Arthur,  "  do  not  look  so 
much  alarmed  at  Wilkins's  exaggerated  reports.  I 
have  read  the  travels  of  scientific  and  experienced  ex- 
plorers, who  certainly  agree  that  large  portions  of  the 
coast  are  desert,  but  give  strong  reasons  for  hope  that 
the  interior  may  be  fruitful  and  well-watered.  To  these 
fertile  regions,  I  am  of  opinion,  we  should  endeavor  to 
penetrate  ;  for  we  have  not  means  nor  nautical  skill  to 
to  attempt  a  sea- voyage,  even  to  the  inhabited  islands  of 
the  Indian  Ocean.  But  it  is  for  you  to  decide,  papa." 

"  I  leave  it  to  you,  my  boy,"  answered  his  father. 
"  I  rely  on  your  energy  and  judgment,  under  Heaven." 

"  Are  we  to  turn  up  our  watering-river  ? "  called 
Hugh,  from  the  forward  boat. 

"  Here  is  a  niche  in  the  rocks,"  answered  Arthur, 
"  secure  from  the  tide,  where  we  will  rest  to-night,  as 
we  shall  have  our  fresh  water  near  at  hand." 

The  nook  was  as  convenient  as  any  roofless  place 
could  be  for  a  night  abode  ;  and  even  Margaret  had 
now  become  accustomed  to  this  wild  life,  and  rested 
her  head  on  a  pillow  of  rock,  in  the  open  air,  with  the 
peace  and  comfort  of  a  tranquil  and  pious  spirit. 

Early  in  the  morning  the  boys  went  up  the  fresh- 
water rivulet  to  enjoy  the  luxury  of  a  bath ;  and  such 
was  the  profusion  of  fish  that  filled  the  clear  water,  that 
they  succeeded  without  difficulty  in  spearing  two  of  the 
large  species  of  river-cod  that  they  had  found  in  the 
island  lake  ;  and  as  these  weighed  ten  or  twelve  pounds 
each,  they  returned  very  triumphant  with  their  spoil. 

"  I  know  it  has  been  familiarly  named  the  river-cod," 
said  Hugh  ;  "  but  you  know,  papa,  the  cod  is  strictly  a 
13 


146  THE    FRESH    WATER    COD. 

sea-fish  ;  besides,  this  ugly  fellow,  if  he  were  not  so 
large,  is  not  unlike  a  perch." 

"It  is  like  the  productions  of  Australia,"  said  Mr. 
Mayburn ;  "  unclassed  and  strange.  It  seems  to  blend 
the  distinctive  features  of  the  cod  and  the  perch,  —  the 
salt-water  and  fresh-water  tribes." 

"  But  it 's  safe  to  eat  ?  "  asked  Jenny,  anxiously. 

"We  have  already  tried  it  with  impunity,  nurse," 
answered  Arthur ;  "  all  travellers  praise  it  as  delicate 
and  nutritious,  and,  from  its  abundance  in  the  rivers,  it 
must  be  a  great  boon  to  the  natives." 

The  fish  was  boiled  in  the  salt-water.  But  before 
night  they  had  rowed  beyond  the  influence  of  the  tide ; 
and  had  now  to  labor  hard  to  ascend  the  river,  the  high 
banks  of  which  continued  to  be  shaded  by  mangroves, 
which  were  weighed  down  with  clusters  of  oysters  and 
fresh-water  mussels,  looking  like  some  strange  fruits  of 
this  new  country. 

There  was  something  so  sublime  and  awe-inspiring 
in  the  novelty  of  the  scenery,  that  the  whole  party  long 
contemplated  it  in  silence,  till  an  exclamation  from 
Ruth,  about  the  "  bonnie  ducks,"  roused  them  to  observe 
the  flocks  of  wild-fowl ;  and  Jenny  thanked  God  that 
there  could  be  no  famine  here ;  while  Mr.  Mayburn 
noted  with  admiration  the  varieties  of  water-fowl,  beau- 
tiful and  unknown,  which  sailed  over  the  river  or  clam- 
ored noisily  among  the  mangroves. 

The  labor  of  ascending  the  river  in  the  heat  of  the 
day  soon  fatigued  all  the  rowers,  and  they  were  thank- 
ful to  seek  refuge  and  rest  in  a  narrow  ravine  which 
ran  out  north,  and  which,  after  the  rains,  would  be  a 
rivulet.  At  present,  all  that  proved  its  existence  were 
a  few  narrow  channels,  with  here  and  there  a  pool  of 


THE    BANKS    OF    THE    RIVER.  147 

clear  water.  The  rapidly  springing. tropical  vegetation 
had  already  spread  and  matted  itself  in  the  very  bed  of 
the  river,  forming  a  picturesque  jungle,  amidst  the  dark 
foliage  of  which  the  tiny  rills  sparkled  like  diamonds. 
On  each  side  towered  lofty  cliffs,  hung  gracefully  with 
luxuriant  creepers,  and  a  thick  belt  of  tall  gum-trees 
and  wild  nutmeg-trees,  covered  with  greedy,  noisy  par- 
rots, ran  along  the  base.  Every  thing  was  new  and 
charming ;  and  having  drawn  the  canoes  up  in  safety 
beneath  the  roots  of  a  mangrove,  they  wandered  slowly 
up  the  ravine,  to  find,  if  possible,  a  grassy  spot  on 
which  to  rest  and  eat  their  dinner.  As  they  walked 
along,  they  found  on  each  side  openings  in  the  cliffs, 
smaller  ravines  or  river-beds ;  all  similar  in  rich  vege- 
tation, and  all  equally  lonely.  It  was  a  perfect  laby- 
rinth of  nature  ;  a  scene  of  enchantment  that  filled 
the  minds  of  the  educated  with  admiration  and  holy 
thoughts,  but  shook  the  ignorant  with  all  the  tremor 
of  supernatural  terrors. 

"  I  wonder  much,"  said  Margaret,  "  that  we  should 
find  these  beautiful  scenes  unpeopled." 

"  Ye  '11  see  people  soon  enough,  Miss,"  said  Wilkins. 
"  What  would  they  do  here  ?  Queer  fellows  as  they 
be,  they  cannot  perch  atop  of  trees  like  them  howling 
poll-parrots,  nor  lie  under  water  like  oysters.  Wait 
till  we  come  on  a  bit  of  bare  common,  and  ye  '11  see 
folks  enough." 

"Wilkins  is  right  enough,  Margaret,"  said  Arthur 
"  this  lovely  spot,  happily  for  the  free  inhabitants  of  the 
air  and  the  water,  is  unfit  for  the  dwelling  of  man.  I 
do  not  think  it  would  be  prudent  to  wander  far  among 
these  bewildering  ravines,  our  safest  guide  will  be  the 
broad  river ;  and  as  we  cannot  meet  with  a  convenient 


148  THE    PLEASANT    HIGHWAY. 

dining-room  here,  I  propose  that  we  should  return  to 
eat  our  dinner  under  the  mangroves,  in  defiance  of  the 
troublesome  inhabitants  around  us." 

But  Jenny  contrived  to  smoke  away  the  mosquitos 
with  her  cooking-fire,  though  the  green  ants  still  contriv- 
ed to  annoy  her  by  falling  as  garnish  on  the  beautiful 
fish  which  she  served  on  a  turtle's  shell.  The  hungry 
group  only  laughed  at  the  petty  vexation,  as  they  gath- 
ered round  the  feast  with  oyster-shell  plates  and  mussel- 
shell  cups,  to  eat  heartily,  though  they  wanted  forks, 
spoons,  and,  as  Jenny  declared,  all  Christian  comforts. 

With  renewed  vigor  they  resumed  their  oars,  and 
pursued  their  voyage  on  the  pleasant  highway,  which 
the  young  and  ardent  believed  would  forward  them 
towards  the  distant  home  they  hoped  to  reach.  And 
when  absolute  fatigue  compelled  them  to  desist,  they 
found  a  convenient  landing-place  for  the  canoes  on  a 
broad  patch  of  bare  sand.  They  drew  them  on  shore, 
and,  to  stretch  their  cramped  legs,  walked  forward  till 
they  reached  a  spot  where  a  slip  of  the  rocks  had  formed 
a  gradual  ascent. 

Though  encumbered  with  trees  and  brushwood,  they 
were  all  desirous  to  attempt  this  ascent  to  search  for 
nests  and  eggs,  and,  above  all,  to  attain,  if  possible,  the 
heights  above,  that  they  might  survey  the  country 
through  which  they  were  passing.  They  found  innu- 
merable nests  of  ducks,  geese,  and  swans,  and  of  a  large 
bird  which  distracted  Mr.  Mayburn  by  its  resemblance 
to  the  pelican.  They  found  also  some  well-grown 
young  birds,  but  contented  themselves  with  carrying  off ' 
a  couple  of  fine  cygnets. 

"  Hark,  Arthur  ! "  said  Hugh  ;  "  what  a  strange  cry. 
It  must  be  the  note  of  some  new  bird.  Let  us  follow 


THE    NEW    BIRD.  149 

the    sound,   that  we    may   obtain   it,   if    possible,   for 
papa." 

"Bird,  indeed!"  exclaimed  Wilkins;  "fiddlestick! 
Ye  '11  bide  where  ye  are,  Master  Hugh.  Ye  little  ken 
what  sort  on  a  bird  that  is.  Ye  'd  better  keep  quiet,  for 
them  sort  of  birds  is  awkward  customers.  I  reckon  I 
ken  that  'Coo-ee!  Coo-ee ! '  better  nor  either  ye  or 
t  'auld  master.  It 's  nought  else  but  them  black  fellows 
hailing  one  another." 

"  I  fear  it  is  but  too  true,  Hugh,"  said  Arthur.  "  I 
have  heard  of  the  curious  cry  of  the  natives." 

"  Let  us  flee,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  turning  hastily 
back.  "  Let  us  not  seek  scenes  of  discord  and  blood- 
shed." 

"  Could  n't  I  steal  among  the  trees  and  get  a  peep  at 
them  ? "  said  O'Brien.  u  The  wood  is  so  thick,  they 
would  never  see  me,  and  then  I  could  let  you  know 
what  we  had  to  fear." 

"  I  would  n't  have  ye  to  be  over  sure,"  said  Wilkins, 
"that  there's  not  half  a  hundred  blackies  skulking 
underneath  this  here  scrub  as  we're  trailing  through. 
They're  cute  rogues,  and  like  enough,  they've  been 
tracking  us  all  along.  We  'se  be  better  looking  after 
our  boats,  nor  after  them.  We  'se  see  plenty  on  'em 
afore  long." 

It  was  plainly  prudent  to  retreat,  wherever  the  unseen 
enemy  might  be ;  and  having  secured  their  boats  be- 
neath a  spreading  mangrove,  they  roasted  and  ate  some 
eggs,  and  then  discussed  calmly  the  prospect  of  meeting 
the  natives,  which  now  seemed  inevitable. 

"  I  have  finished  another  bow,"  said  Jack  ;  "  we  have 
arrows  and  spears,  and  a  throwing-stick.      And  then 
Mr.  Arthur  has  his  rifle." 
13* 


150  A    WHITE    FEATHER. 

"  That 's  worth  all  t'  rest  put  together,"  replied  Wil- 
kins.  "  They  can  beat  us  out  and  out  with  spears,  and 
them  queer  crookt  boomerangs ;  but  give  'em  a  shot, 
and  they  '11  fly  off  like  sparrows.  We  '11  have  to  mind, 
for,  ye  see,  they  '11  never  come  on  us  boldly  like  men, 
but  they  '11  sneak  and  cower,  and  spy,  to  see  what  we  're 
made  on.  And  I  'd  like  to  see  t'  auld  master  there 
keep  up  his  heart ;  for  if  they  see  a  fellow  among  us 
show  a  white  feather,  we  're  all  done." 

"But  I  should  never  think  of  carrying  a  white 
feather,  Wilkins,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn.  "  I  confess  that 
I  have  harbored  the  thought  of  holding  out  to  them  a 
green  branch,  which,  I  have  understood,  ever  signifies  a 
flag  of  truce  among  savage  nations." 

"  A  fig  for  yer  flags  !  "  cried  Wilkins  contemptuously. 
"  Show  'em  a  stout  heart  and  a  long  rifle,  and  they  '11 
understand  'em  better  nor  a  green  flag.  There  goes 
the  Coo-ce  again  !  Will  you  put  out  that  fire,  lass.  Is 
there  any  sense  in  sending  up  a  smoke  to  let  'em  see 
where  we  are  ?  " 

Ruth  extinguished  the  fire,  trembling  with  fright,  and 
then  crept  close  to  Margaret  and  Jenny.  As  it  was 
now  quite  dark,  the  women,  as  usual,  lay  down  in  the 
canoes,  and  the  men  watched  and  rested  alternately  till 
daylight  dispelled  the  fear  of  a  nocturnal  attack.  Then, 
not  liking  their  neighborhood,  they  launched  the  canoes 
again,  resolving  to  breakfast  on  a  more  secure  spot ;  and 
after  proceeding  many  miles  up  the  river,  they  disem- 
embarked  on  a  flat  rock  that  ran  out  from  the  cliffs, 
where  they  cooked  eggs  for  their  breakfast,  and  the 
cygnets  to  take  with  them  for  the  next  meal. 

But  on  embarking  again,  they  found,  with  some  un- 
easiness, that  the  navigation  of  the  river  was  becoming 


A   THUNDERSTORM.  151 

difficult.  The  breadth  of  the  bed  gradually  contracted ; 
the  rocks  on  each  side  overhung  the  water,  into  which 
large  blocks  had  fallen  from  above,  among  which  the 
stream  rushed  in  strong  eddies,  or  poured  over  the 
masses  in  cascades ;  thus  rendering  their  progress  per- 
ilous, if  not  impossible. 

Suddenly,  before  they  had  observed  any  premonitory 
signs,  a  terrific  storm  of  thunder  and  lightning  burst 
upon  them,  accompanied  by  a  violent  wind  and  a  deluge 
of  rain.  The  peals  of  thunder,  repeated  again  and 
again  among  the  towering  cliffs,  were  tremendous. 
Ruth  shrieked  with  terror,  and  Margaret,  with  all  her 
firmness,  trembled  to  hear  the  voice  of  the  tempest. 

The  little  canoes,  whirled  round  and  dashed  against 
the  rocks,  seemed  doomed  to  inevitable  destruction. 
Wilkins,  in  this  fearful  emergency,  succeeded  in  secur- 
ing a  rope  to  one  canoe,  then  leaping  out  upon  a  shelving 
rock,  he  held  it  till,  with  Hugh's  assistance,  the  three 
women  were  snatched  out,  one  after  another,  to  the 
rock,  where  they  clung  to  the  trees  to  keep  themselves 
from  being  swept  away  by  the  wind ;  but  they  tried  in 
vain  to  save  the  canoe,  as  Wilkins  had  relinquished  the 
rope  to  assist  the  women,  and  they  were  mortified  to  see 
it  hurried  down  the  impetuous  river  beyond  all  hopes 
of  recovery. 

The  river  was  already  raised  by  the  pouring  rain, 
but  "Wilkins  boldly  plunged  in  with  an  oar,  which  he 
extended  to  the  men  in  the  second  canoe,  and  assisted 
them  to  reach  the  shore  ;  but  their  boat,  which  had  been 
previously  damaged,  was  whirled  against  a  rock,  and 
went  to  pieces. 

"  Thank  God'  no  lives  are  lost,"  murmured  Mr.  May- 
burn,  as,  exhausted  and  drenched  with  rain,  he  crouched 


152  THE    CAVE    OF   THE    BATS. 

under  the  trees,  the  light  foliage  of  which  afforded  very 
insufficient  shelter  from  the  torrents  of  rain  which  de- 
scended on  them ;  and  for  some  time  they  were  so 
stunned  with  their  fears  and  their,  desolate  condition, 
that  they  could  not  command  their  thoughts  sufficiently 
to  consider  where  they  should  turn  to  search  for  a  bet- 
ter protection. 

At  length  Arthur  pointed  out  that  a  little  higher  up 
the  river  a  slab  of  rock  ran  out  and  formed  a  sort  of 
canopy  over  the  narrow  hem  of  beach  beneath.  Thither, 
therefore,  the  distressed  party  removed,  and  they  found 
even  a  more  convenient  shelter  than  they  had  hoped  ; 
for  the  hollow  beneath  the  slab  was  raised  about  four 
feet  from  the  ground,  and  extended  backwards  into  the 
sandstone  rock,  forming  a  cavern  impervious  to  wind 
and  rain.  Their  entrance  dislodged  hundreds  of  bats, 
of  strange  and  frightful  forms,  and  Mr.  Mayburn  half 
forgot  his  fears  and  miseries  while  he  looked  with  ad- 
miration on  a  huge,  imp-like  creature,  which  he  asserted 
must  be  the  animal  distinguished  by  travellers  as  the 
"  flying  fox." 

After  these  hideous  inhabitants  were  dispersed,  Mar- 
garet and  the  two  distressed  women  gladly  took  posses- 
sion of  this  gloomy  retreat,  which  was  dry  and  secure. 
Piles  of  dead  wood  lay  scattered  round  it,  which  en- 
abled them  to  make  a  fire  and  dry  their  dripping  gar- 
ments. To  their  great  joy,  they  had  been  able  to 
preserve  their  bows,  spears,  and  rifle,  and  Ruth  had 
grasped  firmly  her  precious  basket  of  chickens.  At  the 
moment  when  the  danger  was  imminent,  Wilkins  had 
had  presence  of  mind  to  throw  on  shore  the  locker  of 
potatoes,  and  also  the  portmanteau,  from  which  they  all 
were  now  glad  to  procure  changes  of  clothes.  The 


THE    LONG    DAY.  153 

cooked  provisions  were  lost ;  but  they  roasted  some  po- 
tatoes, and  enjoyed  their  simple  repast,  while  the  thun- 
der rolled  loudly  over  their  heads,  and  the  rain  poured 
like  a  deluge  into  the  swollen  river. 

"  We  can  go  no  farther  to-day,"  said  Hugh,  looking 
out  with  a  melancholy  air.  "  What  can  we  do,  Ger- 
ald?" 

Jack  was  already  at  work  in  a  retired  nook,  making 
arrows  from  the  bamboos  which  were  plentifully  scat- 
tered round;  and,  roused  by  his  example,  the  boys 
joined  him  to  sharpen  spears  and  shape  bows,  which 
were  to  be  completed  when  they  met  with  gum  to  ce- 
ment them,  and  stringy  bark  to  form  the  bowstrings. 
Arthur  cleaned  his  valuable  rifle,  Margaret  wove  some 
reeds  into  a  basket  for  eggs,  Mr.  Mayburn  lectured ; 
Wilkins  alone  seemed  weary  and  out  of  his  element,  his 
good  properties  only  came  out  when  roused  to  action  by 
difficulties,  and  as  Margaret  watched  him  lazily  rolling 
a  piece  of  bark  for  a  cigar,  and  then  lying  down  to 
smoke  it,  she  longed  for  some  settled  habitation,  that 
this  unfortunate  man,  now  but  half  reclaimed,  might 
have  useful  occupation  and  acquire  regular  habits. 

But  even  the  most  industrious  of  the  party  could  not 
but  find  that  wild,  stormy  day  long  and  tedious  in  this 
damp  and  dismal  shelter.  Nor  was  it  without  alarm 
that  they  saw  the  river  gradually  rise,  till  the  level  was 
within  a  foot  of  the  floor  of  their  retreat ;  and  if  it  should 
rise  high  enough  to  overflow  the  cave,  they  were  aware 
there  could  be  no  possibility  of  escape,  for  the  waters 
already  dashed  against  the  cliffs  on  each  side  of  them. 
They  watched  anxiously.  At  length,  with  thankfulness, 
they  saw  the  rain  cease ;  and  before  darkness  shut  out 
observation,  the  water  had  fallen  a  few  inches.  Then, 


154  IMPRISONMENT. 

free  from  their  usual  nightly  torment  of  the  bush-haunt- 
ing mosquitos,  they  enjoyed  a  calm  night's  rest  in  the 
cool  cavern. 

Morning  brought  new  cares.  The  casual  storm  had 
passed  away,  and  it  was  too  early  for  the  usual  tropical 
rainy  season ;  but,  alas !  they  had  no  means  of  voyag- 
ing onward,  and  the  waters  blockaded  them.  There 
was  no  path  along  the  beach.  They  waited  another 
day,  in  terror  of  famine  or  another  storm.  A  very 
slight  decrease  of  the  waters  was  seen  next  morning. 
The  cliffs  were  too  high  and  precipitate  for  even  the 
boldest  to  climb,  the  river  too  deep  and  impetuous  to  be 
crossed  except  in  a  boat,  and  the  narrow  hem  of  sand 
now  left  at  the  edge  was  barely  sufficient  for  the  pas- 
sage of  one  person ;  and  even  it  seemed  to  them  that  in 
some  places  the  rocks  ran  out  so  far  that  all  progress 
must  be  cut  off. 

They  might,  perhaps,  with  great  risk,  have  made  their 
way  along  the  beach  back  to  the  sloping  ascent  to  the 
cliffs  which  they  had  visited  two  days  before,  and  thus 
gain  the  heights ;  but  that  would  probably  bring  them 
into  contact  with  the  wild  natives  from  whom  they  had 
fled  in  such  haste.  Besides,  they  were  unwilling  to 
leave  the  banks  of  the  river,  which  insured  them  fresh 
water,  while,  at  the  same  time,  it  prevented  them  from 
being  bewildered  in  a  strange  and  perplexing  county. 
Arthur  asked  his  father  to  decide  on  what  they  should 
do  in  this  dilemma. 

"  I  leave  all  to  you,  Arthur,"  answered  he,  "  as  usual. 
I  am  distracted  with  sinful  doubts  and  fears.  We 
cannot,  I  am  aware,  continue  to  live  in  a  cave,  as  men 
were  wont  to  do  in  the  early  and  barbarous  ages ;  and 
the  prospect  of  perilous  wanderings  in  an  unknown  wil- 


THE    PILGRIMS.  155 

derness  shakes  my  weak  nerves.     But  I  will  trust  in 
Him,  my  children,  and  pray  for  this  blessed  boon ;  may 

'  Israel's  mystic  guide, 
The  pillared  cloud,  our  steps  decide ! ' ' 

"  Well,  then,  make  up  your  mind,  General  Arthur," 
said  Hugh.  "  Call  up  the  forces  and  arrange  the  march. 
Gerald,  my  boy,  you  can  make  no  objection  to  carry 
the  pratees,  I'm  certain."  - 

"  We  must  each  take  a  share  in  the  toil  of  carrying 
off  our  slender  possessions,"  said  Margaret.  "  Let  Ar- 
thur divide  and  portion  this  duty." 

"  Then,  Margaret,"  said  Arthur,  "  I  determine  that 
Nurse  and  you  should  unpack  that  portmanteau  and  tie 
up  the  contents  in  bundles,  for  the  better  convenience  of 
division." 

"  Never  ye  fash  to  open  it  out,  Miss,"  said  Wilkins. 

**  I  reckon  I  'se  qualified  to  take  that  leather  box  on 
my  back  without  breaking  't." 

But  Arthur  would  not  suffer  the  good-natured  fellow 
to  be  overloaded ;  and  Margaret  lightened  the  trunk 
by  filling  some  pillow-covers  with  part  of  the  contents, 
and  these  were  suspended  across  the  shoulders  of  Ar- 
thur, Hugh,  and  Jack.  Two  of  these  useful  bags  were 
also  filled  with  potatoes,  to  be  carried  by  Mr.  Mayburn 
and  Gerald.  Ruth  would  not  leave  her  basket  of  poul- 
try, and  Margaret  and  Jenny  collected  the  shells  and 
small  articles  remaining.  The  locker  was  unwillingly 
left  behind,  as  too  heavy  for  carriage ;  and  then,  each 
carrying,  in  addition  to  his  burden,  some  weapon,  they 
set  out  in  single  file,  headed  by  Arthur,  Wilkins  follow- 
ing close  behind  him,  along  the  narrow  sandy  path, 
which  was  encumbered  by  masses  of  sandstone  fallen 


156  ALONG    THE    RIVER. 

from  the  rocks ;  and  occasionally  rendered  still  more 
difficult  by  the  roots  of  a  mangrove,  twisted  with  creep- 
ers, spreading  even  into  the  river,  or  a  drooping  acacia, 
or  casuarina,  which  it  was  necessary  laboriously  to  cut 
away,  or  to  tear  down,  before  they  could  force  a  pas- 
sage. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

Alligators.  —  The  Giant's  Staircase.  —  Access  to  a  New  Region.  — 
The  Pheasant  Cuckoo.— Wild  Oats.  — The  Unequal  Contest.— 
The  First  Kangaroo.  —  Scenes  of  Arcadia.  —  A  Hint  at  Cannibal- 
ism.—The  Cockatoo  Watch.'— The  Enemy  put  to  Flight. 

THE  cliffs  which  rose  above  their  path  were  about 
three  hundred  feet  in  height;  these  were  almost  per- 
pendicular, and  even,  in  some  places,  overhung  the 
river ;  which  had  again  spread  out  to  about  a  mile  in 
width,  while  rocky  masses  in  the  midst,  covered  with 
vegetation,  formed  innumerable  little  islets,  among 
which,  even  if  they  had  saved  their  canoes,  they  would 
have  found  it  perilous  to  navigate. 

"  Hugh  !  Hugh  ! "  cried  Gerald,  who  was  at  the  end 
of  the  long  line.  "  I  see  our  canoe ;  if  you  will  join 
me,  we  will  swim  to  it,  and  bring  it  in." 

All  eyes  were  directed  to  the  dark  floating  object  he 
had  pointed  put,  when  suddenly  Ruth  screamed  out, 
"  They  're  alive !  Master  Hugh,  there 's  a  lot  on  em. 
They  '11  eat  us  all  up." 

"  I  perceive  now  indeed,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  in  much 
agitation,  "  what  these  huge  masses  are.  Observe, 
Margaret,  on  that  island  where  the  tall  mangrove  is  so 
conspicuous,  those  dark  moving  forms ;  they  are  alliga- 
tors stretched  in  the  sun,  while  some  of  the  dangerous 
creatures  are  floating  on  the  river.  See,  my  children, 
how  providentially  we  have  been  snatched  from  peril. 
14  (157) 


158  THE    ALLIGATORS. 

One  of  these  monsters  might  have  capsized  our  little 
boat,  and  we  should  have  been  abandoned  to  be  devoured 
by  these  frightful  creatures." 

At  these  words,  Ruth  shrieked  out,  and  endeavored 
in  her  distraction  to  force  her  way  past  the  rest ;  but 
was  held  back  by  Jack,  who  followed  her  in  the  line, 
and  who  tried  to  convince  her  of  the  folly  of  her  fears. 
Nevertheless,  they  all  felt  more  comfortable,  when  they 
lost  sight  of  the  islets  and  their  hideous  inhabitants. 

Again  the  river  narrowed,  and  now  they  became 
alarmed  as  a  strange  rumbling  noise  gradually  increased 
before  them.  They  paused  for  consideration  ;  this  was 
totally  unlike  the  usual  sounds  of  the  wilderness,  where 
the  varied  notes  of  the  birds,  and  the  continued  hum- 
ming of  the  insects,  alone  disturbed  the  silence. 

"It  resembles  the  roaring  of  waters,"  said  Arthur. 
"  I  trust  that  now,  when  the  river  has  obviously  fallen, 
we  need  not  fear  that  another  flood  should  overtake  us. 
But  follow  me  quickly  —  let  us  lose  no  time  in  endeav- 
oring to  reach  the  security  of  a  wider  strand." 

As  they  proceeded,  the  roaring  and  rumbling  grew 
louder  and  louder ;  they  knew  it  was  the  voice  of  a 
torrent,  and  it  was  with  beating  hearts  they  wound 
round  a  bend  in  the  course  of  the  greatly  narrowed 
river,  and  saw  at  a  short  distance  before  them  a  majestic 
cataract,  pouring  its  foaming  waters  into  the  river, 
which  bounded  and  dashed  onward  like  a  troubled  sea, 
even  to  the  spot  where  the  wanderers  stood,  transfixed 
with  wonder  and  admiration  at  the  spectacle. 

"  This  is  indeed  the  majesty  of  nature  ! "  exelaimed 
Mr.  Mayburn.  "  How  feeble  seem  all  the  labors  of 
man,  when  compared  with  this  stupendous  work  of  God ! 


PELICANS.  159 

'  How  profound 

The  gulf!  and  how  the  giant  element 
From  rock  to  rock  leaps  with  delirious  bound, 
Crushing  the  cliffs  ! ' " 

"Ay!  Ay!  it's  a  grand  thing  to  see,  master,"  said 
Wilkins ;  "  but  how  are  we  to  get  out  on  our  fix  ? 
We're  not  made  wi'  wings,  like  them  big  fellows, 
clamoring  and  diving  at  t'  top  yonder." 

A  row  of  large  birds  were  perched  on  fragments  of 
rock  at  the  very  summit  of  the  fall,  plunging  their 
heads  into  the  rushing  waters,  and  seeming  to  rejoice 
in  the  grand  commotion. 

"  They  look  like  pelicans,  papa,"  said  Hugh  ;  "  I  can 
see  the  red  pouch  under  their  throat." 

"The  bird  is  one  of  the  family,  I  apprehend,  my 
son,"  answered  Mr.  Mayburn.  "  It  is  commonly  called 
the  frigate  pelican,  and  is  peculiar  to  the  tropics,  fishing 
in  rivers  as  well  as  in  the  sea.  Its  wings  and  tail  are 
immensely  long,  but  the  body,  if  stripped  of  the  feathers, 
is  much  smaller  than  you  would  expect  to  find  it.  But 
observe  now,  Hugh,  a  nobler  bird.  See,  far  above  us 
soars  a  superb  black  eagle,  which  seems  to  look  down 
with  equal  scorn  on  the  noisy  birds,  the  dashing  waters, 
and  the  helpless  men  so  far  below  it." 

As  they  slowly  drew  near,  they  calculated  that  the 
height  of  the  cataract  must  be  a  hundred  and  fifty  feet 
at  least,  and  saw  that  the  waters  poured  over  horizontal 
strata  of  the  sandstone  rocks,  each  layer  projecting 
beyond  the  one  above,  and  forming  a  series  of  steps, 
which  rose  from  four  to  eight  feet  in  height.  The  water 
did  not  descend  in  a  volume,  but  in  courses,  which  left 
parts  of  the  rocks  uncovered,  and  on  these  parts  moss 
and  even  grass  had  sprung  up. 


160  THE  GIANT'S  STAIRCASE. 

Amidst  the  admiration  and  enjoyment  which  all  felt 
in  the  contemplation  of  this  novel  spectacle,  an  unpleas- 
ant conviction  crossed  the  minds  of  even  the  most 
enthusiastic,  that  they  were  indeed,  as  Wilkins  had 
remarked,  "  in  a  fix."  It  was  impossible  to  proceed 
unless  they  could  ascend  the  formidable  brush-covered 
cliffs,  where  the  weight  of  a  man  clinging  to  the  bushes 
might  bring  down  an  avalanche  of  the  crumbling  sand- 
stone rock  to  bury  him  in  its  fall ;  or,  still  more  perilous, 
that  they  should  attempt  to  ascend  what  Gerald  called 
"  the  Giant's  Staircase  "  —  the  mighty  cataract  itself. 

The  voice  of  the  torrent  drowned  the  weaker  voice 
of  man ;  Arthur  could  not  understand  that  Gerald  was 
calling  out  to  Hugh  to  follow  him ;  and  before  he  could 
proclaim  any  interdiction,  the  two  light-footed,  active 
boys,  by  clinging  to  the  firmly-rooted  grass  in  the  crev- 
ices, had  gained  a  resting-place  on  the  first  step  of  the 
rocks  at  the  extreme  edge  of  the  fall,  and  were  calling 
on  the  rest  to  follow  them. 

At  this  extremity  about  four  feet  of  the  rocks  re- 
mained dry  from  the  summit  to  the  base,  and  certainly 
this  must  be  the  ladder  they  must  mount  if  they  hoped 
to  escape;  but  how  difficult,  how  perilous,  was  the 
attempt!  Jack  surveyed  the  ground  attentively,  then 
producing  from  his  pocket  a  large  roll  of  cord,  he  tied 
one  end  to  a  mangrove-tree  on  the  beach,  and  unrolling 
it  as  he  went  up,  followed  the  boys,  holding  the  line 
tight  to  support  Mr.  Mayburn  and  Margaret,  Jenny  and 
Ruth,  who,  assisted  by  Arthur  and  Wilkins,  were  one 
after  another  raised  to  the  first  resting-place.  Arthur 
soon  joined  them;  but  Wilkins  remained  to  see  the 
whole  ascent  completed  before  he  would  leave  the 
strand. 


A    NEW    COUNTRY.  161 

Distracted  by  the  noise  of  the  torrent,  the  dashing 
of  the  spray,  and  the  terror  lest  the  slippery  stone  or 
the  supporting  clump  of  grass  should  fail  them,  it  was 
a  fearful  struggle  for  the  timid  women,  and  for  Mr. 
Mayburn,  quite  as  timid  and  much  less  light  than  they, 
to  be  raised  from  step  to  step,  assisted  always  by  Arthur 
below  and  Jack  above ;  but  finally  they  were  placed  in 
safety  on  the  heights  of  the  cataract.  Then  Jack  waved 
his  handkerchief,  for  his  voice  would  have  been  inaudi- 
ble, as  a  signal  for  Wilkins  to  follow ;  and  he,  more 
accustomed  than  they  to  climbing,  loosed  and  leisurely 
wound  up  the  cord,  as  he  sprang  from  rock  to  rock,  till 
he  joined  the  grateful  and  happy  family. 

The  first  sentiment  of  all  was  thankfulness  to  God» 
poured  forth  in  earnest  prayer.  Their  next  feeling  was 
curiosity  to  look  upon  a  new,  open  country,  after  being 
so  long  imprisoned  in  the  gloomy  ravine  below.  They 
saw  that  the  river  was  no  longer  a  broad,  navigable 
stream,  but  was  flowing  through  many  narrow  channels 
from  the  east  and  south-east,  which  united  above  the 
cataract.  An  open  and  lovely  glade  lay  before  them, 
thinly  wooded,  and  covered  with  tall  grass,  and  flowers 
of  the  most  brilliant  dyes.  Birds  of  rare  beauty  and 
strange  notes  hovered  about  the  rivulets,  and  the  air 
was  darkened  with  insects ;  but  they  saw  no  trace  yet 
of  man.  Far  away  to  the  south-east  lay  a  gray  line  of 
mountains,  towards  which  the  wishes  of  all  the  anxious 
travellers  turned. 

"  That  range  of  mountains  must  be  our  first  aim, 
papa,"  said  Arthur.  "  Thank  God,  we  seem  yet  to  be 
in  a  land  of  plenty ;  nor  need  we  have  any  fear  of  des- 
titution so  long  as  we  continue  in  a  well-watered  district. 
If  you  are  now  able  to  proceed,  Margaret,  we  must 
14* 


162  THE    PHEASANT-CUCKOO. 

endeavor  to  bivouac  on  some  spot  less  exposed  to  the 
rays  of  the  sun  and  the  observation  of  the  natives  than 
this.  Let  us  follow  the  nearest  channel  of  the  river; 
if  we  wish  to  diverge  further  south,  it  will  not  be  difficult 
to  cross  it." 

A  sharp  twang  startled  Mr.  Mayburn,  and  a  beautiful 
bird  fell  at  his  feet. 

"Just  as  I  wished  it,  sir,"  said  Gerald.  "I  meant 
the  bird  to  be  laid  at  your  feet.  Wasn't  it  a  capital 
shot,  Hugh  ?  " 

"Lucky,  at  any  rate,  Gerald,"  answered  Hugh. 
"  Well,  papa,  what  bird  is  it  ?  " 

"It  is  perfectly  new  to  me,  Hugh,"  answered  his 
father,  "  as,  indeed,  all  the  strange  creation  around  me 
seems  to  be.  The  toes,  like  those  of  the  Scansores,  are 
placed  two  forward,  and  two  backward,  to  facilitate  the 
running  up  trees,  and  in  form  it  so  much  resembles  our 
cuckoo,  that  doubtless  it  is  the  bird  we  have  read  of  as 
the  Pheasant-cuckoo.  See,  there  are  more  running 
among  the  grass,  like  pheasants  —  and  hark  how  they 
whirr  as  they  take  to  flight,  now  that  they  have  been 
startled  by  that  mischievous  boy." 

The  pheasants  were  tempting  game,  and  several 
brace  were  bagged  before  Margaret  could  restrain  the 
ardent  sportsmen,  and  remonstrate  on  the  wanton  cru- 
elty of  destroying  more  than  their  necessities  required. 
Then,  bending  their  course  to  a  low  hill,  on  which  stood 
a  wild  nutmeg-tree,  they  saw  that  it  was  covered  with 
beautiful  white  pigeons.  On  this  spot  a  fire  was  made, 
and  the  pheasants  prepared  for  cooking,  and  then  spit- 
ted on  slender  peeled  bamboos,  which  were  set  up  with 
one  end  in  the  ground,  round  the  fire.  Gerald  would 
gladly  have  added  to  the  feast  by  shooting  some  of  the 


THE    PLAGUE    OF   FLIES.  163 

confiding  pigeons,  which  continued  to  feed  on  the  green 
fruits  of  the  nutmeg-tree,  without  any  fear  of  their  dan- 
gerous neighbors ;  but  even  Nurse  reproved  the  boy  for 
his  destructive  inclinations,  declaring  it  would  be  very 
unlucky  to  shoot  a  white  pigeon. 

Though  they  hoped  this  resting-place  would  have 
proved  pleasant,  they  soon  found  it  would  be  impossible 
to  remain  near  the  water,  so  intensely  vexatious  was 
the  plague  of  flies.  Thick  clouds  of  these  teasing 
creatures  buzzed  round,  settling  in  black  bunches  on 
the  meat ;  filling  eyes,  nose  and  mouth,  and  irritating 
the  skin  with  their  continual  attempts  to  pierce  it  with 
their  thin,  tiny  proboscis. 

The  boys  declared  the  flies  were  ten  times  worse 
than  the  mosquitos;  and  to  escape  these  Lilliputian 
foes,  Arthur  decided  that  they  should  cross  some  of  the 
narrow  rills,  which  now  ran  wide  apart,  and  deviate 
towards  the  south,  where  a  rising  ground  promised  to 
introduce  them  to  new  scenery. 

When  they  reached  the  hills,  they  found  them  steeper 
than  they  expected ;  but  on  ascending  to  the  height, 
they  were  gratified  to  see  before  them  a  beautiful  coun- 
try. Lofty  trees  adorned  the  plain,  and  high  grass 
rose  even  to  their  shoulders,  as  they  passed  through  it. 
On  several  spots,  vast  fragments  of  the  sandstone-rock, 
grown  over  with  beautiful  flowering  creepers,  lay  in  pic- 
turesque confusion  ;  and  the  Eucalyptus,  with  its  spicy 
flowers,  the  Pandanus,  loaded  with  fragrant  blossoms, 
and  the  Cabbage-palm,  were  also  encircled  by  the  para- 
sitic plants  which  add  such  a  grace  to  tropical  scenery. 
Wearied  with  forcing  their  way  through  the  tall,  sharp, 
wiry  grass,  they  stopped  before  a  high,  broken  rock 


164  A    PLEASANT    REGION. 

which  overhung  and  flung  a  shade  over  the  spot  they 
had  selected  for  their  resting-place.  Then  the  boys 
cleared  the  ground,  by  laboriously  cutting  down  the 
long  grass,  which  they  spread  to  ibrm  beds,  a  luxury  to 
which  they  were  unaccustomed. 

"  We  'd  better  have  fired  it,"  said  Wilkins.  "  Our 
bush-ranging  chaps  always  sets  it  in  a  low  ;  it  saves 
trouble." 

"  I  should  be  grieved  to  destroy  the  luxuriant  vege- 
tation that  God  has  spread  over  these  plains,"  said  Mr. 
Mayburn.  "  Besides  we  could  not  calculate  where  such 
a  conflagration  might  end." 

"  Little  matter  where  it  ended,"  answered  the  man. 
"  There  's  lots  of  this  stuff,  such  as  it  is  ;  but  Ruth, 
lass,  ye  Ve  gotten  hold  on  a  better  sample." 

Ruth  usually  released  her  unfortunate  chickens  at 
f-ach  resting-place,  that  they  might  have  air,  and  seek 
food,  and  she  had  herself  been  running  about  for  grubs, 
seeds,  or  any  thing  they  could  eat,  and  she  now  returned 
with  a  perfect  sheaf  of  some  kind  of  bearded  grain, 
suspended  on  the  ear  by  slender  filaments  like  the  oat, 
but  still  unripe. 

"  This  surely  should  be  an  edible  grain,"  said  Mr. 
Mayburn,  "  and  will  probably  be  ripe  as  early  as  No- 
vember, in  a  climate  which  produces  two  harvests. 
How  richly  laden  is  each  ear,  and  the  straw  cannot 
be  less  than  six  feet  in  length.  I  conclude  it  is  an 
Anthistiria.  Feed  your  fowls,  Ruth  ;  the  food  is  suita- 
ble, and  happily  abundant.  Had  we  but  a  mill  to  grind 
it,  we  might  hope  in  due  season  to  enjoy  once  more  the 
blessing  of  bread." 

"  There  's  not  likely  to  be   any  mills  handy  herea- 


WILD    OATS.  165 

bout,"  said  Wilkins ;  "  but  when  folks  is  put  to  it,  it 's 
queer  what  shifts  they  can  make.  Just  hand  us  over  a 
handful  of  that  there  corn,  my  lass." 

Wilkins  soon  found  two  flat  stones  suited  to  his  pur- 
pose, spread  the  shelled  grains  on  the  larger  stone  and 
bruised  the  soft  corn  into  a  paste,  which  Re  handed 
over  to  Jenny,  saying,  "  Here 's  yer  dough,  mother ! 
now  see  and  bake  us  a  damper,  bush  fashion  ;  it 's  poor 
clammy  stuff  yet  a  bit,  but  a  bad  loaf 's  better  nor  no 
bread." 

Then  Wilkins  showed  Jenny  that  slovenly  mode  of 
bread-making,  common  even  among  the  civilized  colo- 
nists of  Australia,  the  product  of  which  is  a  sort  of 
pancake  baked  in  the  ashes.  But  this  substitute  for 
the  staff  of  life  was  thankfully  received  by  those  who 
had  been  so  long  deprived  of  the  genuine  blessing  ;  but 
the  green  paste  was  stringy  and  dry,  and  Jenny  pro- 
posed to  blend  a  boiled  potato  with  the  next  damper, 
to  make  it  more  like  bread. 

11  Nevertheless,"  said  Arthur,  "  if  we  only  boil  it  as 
a  green  vegetable,  this  acquisition  will  be  an  agreeable 
addition  to  our  roast  birds.  Suppose  we  each  reap  a 
bundle  of  the  ears  to  carry  onwards  :  at  all  events  the 
grains  will  feed  the  fowls." 

The  boys  soon  cut  down  a  quantity  of  the  heads  of 
the  corn,  and  early  next  morning  they  rubbed  out  the 
grains,  with  which  they  filled  several  bags,  Ruth  her- 
self collecting  a  store  for  the  poultry.  Then,  resolving 
to  wait  till  the  heat  of  the  day  was  over  before  they 
marched  on  their  journey,  Margaret  employed  herself 
in  making  useful  bags  of  grass,  while  the  young  men 
sauntered  about,  observing  the  novelties  arouiK1  them, 


166  EXOTICS. 

and  procuring  from  one  of  the  clear  rivulets  a  large 
provision  of  fish  for  the  day's  consumption. 

"  And  see,  Margaret,"  said  Gerald,  "  would  you  not 
have  been  proud,  in  England,  of  such  a  magnificent 
bouquet  as  this,"  presenting  to  her  a  brilliant  assem- 
blage of  flowers. 

"  Now,  papa,  come  to  our  assistance,"  said  Margaret, 
"  and  name  these  *  illustrious  strangers/  Surely  I 
scent  among  them  our  own  delicious  Jasmine." 

"  It  certainly  resembles  the  jasmine,  as  well  in  form, 
as  in  perfume,"  answered  Mr.  Mayburn.  "  Yet,  like 
all  Australian  productions,  it  differs  essentially  from  the 
species  it  resembles.  We  will,  however,  name  it  jas- 
mine. This  golden  flower  of  the  ranunculus  race, 
might  represent  the  butter-cup  of  our  meadows,  yet  it 
certainly  is  not  the  butter-cup.  And  this  might  be  a 
rose,  with  its  slender  stem,  and  pale-pink  wax-like 
petals  —  is  it  not  a  Boronea,  Arthur?  This  crimson 
flower  resembles  the  sweet-pea,  of  which  it  has  the 
scent,  and  the  papilionaceous  form.  But  it  is  vain  to 
attempt  to  class,  at  once,  a  strange  and  marvellous  new 
Flora.  Well  might  Dr.  Solander  honor  the  first  spot  dis- 
covered of  this  lovely  country  with  the  name  of  Botany 
Bay,  thus  prophetically  anticipating  the  rich  harvests 
naturalists  should  reap  in  its  wealth  of  plants.  This  is 
truly  a  tour  of  pleasure,  my  children,  and  I  care  not 
how  long  I  linger  on  the  flowery  road." 

"  If  it  were  not  for  the  flies  and  mosquitos,  papa," 
added  Hugh,  rubbing  his  tortured  nose,  which  being 
rather  prominent,  was  a  favorite  resort  of  the  insects. 

"  What  an  advantage  it  is,  in  this  country,  to  have  a 
snub  nose !  "  said  Gerald.  "  Oh !  my  boy,  it  is  my  turn 


THE    BOA    AND    ITS    VICTIM.  1C7 

to  laugh  now.     But  I  say,  Arthur  !     Wilkins  !     What 
is  yon  fellow  ?     See,  papa,  what  a  splendid  spectacle  ! " 

•  Not  twenty  yards  from  where  they  stood,  and  on  part 
of  the  ground  they  had  cleared  from  the  tall  grass,  they 
saw,  with  admiration  mingled  with  fear,  an  immense 
bright  yellow  and  brown  serpent  slowly  winding  among 
the  low  stubble.     No  one  seemed  to  know  exactly  how 
to  act  on  seeing  this  strange  visitor,  except  Gerald,  who 
sprung  forward,  armed  with  a  stout  stick ;  but  Arthur 
forcibly  held  him  back,  and  Wilk'ins  said,  — 

•  "  Let  him  be !  let  him  be  !  ye  'd  best  not  mell  on  him. 
I    ken    his   sneaking  ways  ;    he    never   bites  ;    but  ht 
squeezes  like  a  millstone.     Now  then ;   he  's  after  his 
own  business.     See  what  he  's  at." 

An  elegant  brownish-grey  animal,  which,  though  they 
now  saw  for  the  first  time,  they  recognized  at  once, 
bounded  from  the  grass  ;  and  while  the  boys  were  cry- 
ing out  in  ecstacy,  "  The  kangaroo !  the  kangaroo  ! " 
they  saw  the  wily  serpent  raise  itself,  and  envelope  the 
terrified  animal  in  its  coils;  and  they  knew  well  the 
doom  of  the  poor  kangaroo,  for  the  embrace  of  its  foe 
was  certain  death. 

"  Now  come  on,  all  on  ye  ;  we  're  safe  enough  now," 
cried  Wilkins  ;  and  all  the  young  men,  armed  with 
sticks,  and  undeterred  by  the  shrieks  of  the  women, 
ran  up  to  the  animals,  and  attacked  the  serpent  by 
striking  the  head  with  repeated  blows.  When,  roused 
to  defence,  it  began  to  uncoil  itself  from  its  victim, 
knives  were  produced;  and  with  many  wounds,  they 
succeeded  at  length  in  putting  an  end  to  a  creature  at 
the  very  sight  of  which  man  instinctively  shudders. 

"Be  sartin  he's  dead,"  said  Wilkins.  "I'd  niver 
trust  them  fellows ;  I  've  seen  one  on  'em  march  off  two 


168  THE   FIRST    KANGAROO. 

ways  when  he 's  been  cut  in  two  pieces.  They  do  say 
they  niver  die  outright.  But  blacky  has  a  way  to  set- 
tle and  keep  him  quiet :  he  just  eats  him."  • 

To  eat  a  serpent  was  an  exploit  at  which  the  civil- 
ized stomach  revolted ;  and  the  creature  was  abandoned 
to  take  its  chance  of  reviving  to  commit  more  destruc- 
tion in  the  world,  after  Mr.  Mayburn  had  examined  it 
with  as  much  interest  as  he  could  feel  for  a  creature  ?o 
abhorred.  It  was  about  twelve  feet  long,  and  certainly 
one  of  the  Boa  family,  but  resembling  more  the  boa  of 
Africa  and  Asia,  than  that  of  America.  Mr.  Mayburn. 
earnestly  desired  to  preserve  the  skin ;  but  any  addi- 
tional incumbrance  in  the  long  pilgrimage  that  lay  be- 
fore them  was  not  to  be  thought  of,  and  he  reluctantly 
relinquished  the  idea. 

"  I  'd  scorn  to  mell  wi'  such  a  foul  beast,"  said  Wil- 
kins,  "  for  t'  sake  of  his  bonnie  skin  ;  but  by  yer  leave, 
I  'se  uncoil  him,  'cause,  ye  see,  a  bit  of  kangaroo  meat 
will  suit  us  as  well  as  he.  It 's  canny  fair  meat,  spe- 
cially about  t'  broad  stern." 

The  kangaroo,  which  was  but  a  young  one,  not  stand- 
ing more  than  four  feet  in  height,  was  extricated  from 
the  murderous  grasp  of  the  boa ;  but  was  almost  flat- 
tened by  the  powerful  pressure.  The  boys  gathered 
round  the  strange  animal  with  great  curiosity,  lost  in 
admiration  of  its  graceful  form,  powerful  hind  legs,  and 
pretty  small  head.  The  long  ears,  divided  upper  lip, 
like  that  of  the  hare,  long  tapering  tail,  and  remarkable 
pouch,  in  which  a  very  young  animal  was  found,  were 
all  remarked  before  it  was  skinned  and  turned  over  to 
the  cooks.  The  skin  was  then  washed,  and  spread  to 
dry,  to  be  converted  into  boots  when  those  useful  arti- 
cles of  clothing  should  be  needed. 


ARCADIAN    SCENES.  169 

Before  they  set  out,  part  of  the  kangaroo  flesh  was 
roasted,  or  rather  broiled,  to  be  in  readiness  for  supper, 
and  the  rest  of  the  meat  carried  off  by  the  willing  Wil- 
kins.  Then,  delighted  with  the  novelties  of  the  day, 
they  went  on  in  the  same  direction  as  before,  walking 
cheerfully  along,  uninterrupted  by  any  alarm,  through 
the  wild  and  charming  scenery,  wjiere  bright  skies,  and 
birds  and  flowers,  might  have  given  a  fanciful  mind  tne 
idea  of  an  Arcadia. 

The  sudden  darkness  of  the  tropics  compelled  them 
to  rest  at  the  fpot  of  some  steep  hills  covered  with 
brushwood,  and  opening  on  more  forest-like  scenery 
than  any  they  had  yet  passed.  Tiny  rills  trickled 
down  the  crevices  in  the  hills,  and  the  rich  emerald 
green  of  the  turf  proclaimed  a  moist  soil,  and  assured 
them  they  were  yet  far  from  the  dreaded  deserts. 

Their  night's  rest  was  again  painfully  disturbed,  for, 
though  at  a  great  distance,  the  peculiar  coo-ee  of  the 
natives  was  several  times  distinctly  heard ;  nor  would 
Mr.  Mayburn  and  Margaret  venture  to  sleep  till  a 
watch  was  arranged,  of  two  persons,  who  were  in- 
structed to  converse  loudly  the  whole  time  ;  for,  ac- 
cording to  the  report  of  Wilkins,  the  natives  would 
never  venture  to  attack  a  party  who  were  prepared  to 
receive  them. 

"  They  '11  be  tracking  us  all  along,  Master  Arthur," 
said  Wilkins,  as  he  and  Arthur  kept  watch  together. 
'•  That 's  their  way.  Then  they  think  to  run  down  on 
us  unawares,  to  pick,  and  steal,  and  murder,  and  eat  us 
up  into  t'  bargain,  if  they  get  a  chance." 

"  Surely  not,  Wilkins,"  answered  Arthur.     "  I  know 
that  the  New  Zealanders  were,  in  their  original  wild 
15 


170  CANNIBALISM. 

state,  cannibals ;  but  I  never  heard  such  an  abomina- 
ble character  given  of  the  Australian  aborigines." 

"If  ye  have  to  rove  long  about  t'  bush,"  answered 
the  man,  "  ye  '11  come  on  many  a  picked  bone  that  niver 
was  that  of  a  kangaroo  or  a  'possum.  Why,  they'll 
not  mind  telling  ye  as  how  man's  flesh  is  twice  as  ten- 
der as  'possum's.  There  's  no  dealing  wi'  'em,  master. 
They  're  just  a  mean  lot.  It  were  a  bad  job  our  losing 
them  guns." 

*  It  was  a  loss,  Wilkins,"  said  Arthur ;  "  but  I  should 
not  feel  that  I  had  the  same  right  to  sh.oot  a  native  that 
I  had  to  shoot  a  kangaroo." 

"  There's  nought  to  choose  atween  'em,"  replied  Wil- 
kins, "but  just  this  —  we  can  make  a  good  meal  of  a 
kangaroo,  and  a  Christian  must  be  sore  set  afore  he 
could  stomach  a  black  fellow." 

"  But  even  a  black  man  has  a  soul,  Wilkins,"  said 
Arthur. 

"I  question  if  these  dogs  have  much  of  that,"  an- 
swered he ;  "  and  if  they  have  oughts  of  soul,  it 's  all 
given  to  him  that's  bad.  Lord  help  us,  Mr.  Arthur, 
they  're  all,  as  one  may  say,  lost ;  like  them  creaturs  as 
old  master  reads  on,  full  of  devils." 

"And  yet  those  unhappy  men,  so  possessed,  you 
remember,  Wilkins,"  answered  Arthur,  "  were  not  lost 
beyond  redemption.  Our  blessed  Lord  not  only  ban- 
ished the  evil  spirits,  but  forgave  the  men  their  sins. 
So  might  these  ignorant  natives,  if  they  were  taught 
and  received  God's  holy  word,  yet  be  saved." 

"  I  'se  not  set  on  gainsaying  ye,  Mr.  Arthur,  in  that," 
said  the  man,  "  for  I  were  nigh  as  bad  as  them  myseP ; 
»nd  is  yet,  for  what  I  ken,  if  I'd  a  chance  to  fall  back. 


THE    COCKATOO    WATCH.  171 

I  'd  like  not,  if  I  could  help  it ;  now  when  I  ken  reet 
fra'  wrong;  and  pray  God  keep  me  fra'  Black  Peter 
arid  his  crew." 

"  Hark  Wilkins !  did  you  hear  a  rustling  ?  "  asked 
Arthur. 

"  Nay,  but  I  tell  you  what  I  beared,"  replied  he.  "  I 
beared  them  cockatoos  flacker  and  cry  out,  on  yon  trees ; 
and  depend  on 't  they  hear  a  strange  foot." 

"  Then  they  are  better  watchmen  than  we  are,"  said 
Arthur.  «  What  shall  we  do,  Wilkins  ?  " 

"  Just  ye  tell  your  folks  not  to  be  fleyed  at  nought," 
said  he,  "  and  we  '11  set  them  rogues  off  in  no  time." 

Arthur  warned  Margaret  and  his  father  not  to  be 
alarmed  at  any  noise  they  might  hear,  and  the  other 
young  men,  roused  at  the  report  of  an  assault,  were 
soon  in  the  ranks.  Then,  at  a  signal  agreed,  they 
raised  their  voices  in  a  simultaneous  halloo !  that  rang 
against  the  rocky  hills.  A  loud  rustling  succeeded,  and 
a  dozen  dark  figures,  visible  in  the  moonlight,  emerged 
from  the  bushes,  and  fled  swiftly  across  the  plain. 

"  Saved  ! "  cried  Hugh :  "  for  this  time  at  least.  But, 
I  say,  Arthur,  we  must  not  sleep  in  the  bush  every  night, 
or  they  '11  catch  us  at  last.  I  saw  several  fine  roomy 
caves  in  the  rocks  as  we  came  along.  We  must  take 
possession  of  the  next  we  fall  in  with,  and  then  we  shall 
only  have  the  entrance  to  guard." 

"  They  held  spears  in  their  hands,  I  saw,"  said  Ger- 
ald ;  u  I  wonder  why  they  did  not  send  a  few  among 
us?" 

"  They  're  ower  sly  for  that,  Master  Gerald,"  said 
Wilkins.  "  They  'd  like  to  come  on  us  all  asleep,  and 
butcher  us.  Now  they  11  dog  us,  day  after  day ;  but  if 
we  hold  on  steady-like,  we  'se  wear  'em  out  at  last." 


172  THE    STIilNGY    BARK. 

"  If  we  could  but  put  a  good  broad  river  between  us," 
said  Jack,  "  we  might  feel  safe.  Did  you  see  that 
stringy  bark  tree  just  at  hand,  Mr.  Arthur?  I  marked 
it  in  my  mind,  and  if  Master  Hugh,  and  you,  and  Mas- 
ter O  'Brien  will  help  me,  we  will  twist  some  long  ropes, 
on  our  road  to-morrow,  and  then,  I  fancy,  if  we  came  to 
a  river  we  could  not  ford,  we  might  contrive  a  ferry- 
boat." 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

Rope-making.  —  The  Cavern  of  Illustrations.  —  Ruth  at  the  Water- 
pools. —  Victualling  the  Fortress.  —  The  Blockade.  —  Assault  and 
Battery.  —  Bloodshed.  —  The  close  Siege.  —  Prospect  of  Famine. 

MR.  MAYBURN  was  uneasy  till  they  set  out  next  morn- 
ing ;  for  the  thick  bush-covered  hill  was  a  convenient 
spot  for  concealment.  They  left  their  sleeping-place, 
therefore,  at  the  earliest  dawn,  and  continued  their  pro- 
gress, while  the  young  men  found  several  trees  of  the 
stringy  bark ;  the  strips  of  the  bark,  measuring  twenty 
or  thirty  feet,  were  hanging  from  the  trunk  raggedly, 
but  very  conveniently  for  the  purpose  of  the  workmen, 
who  collected  a  quantity  of  the  rolls  of  bark,  and  carried 
it  on  their  shoulders,  till  a  singular  isolated  column  of 
rock  attracted  them  to  examine  it ;  and  as  it  afforded  a 
little  shade,  and  stood  in  an  open  glade,  where  they 
need  not  fear  hidden  enemies,  they  rested  at  the  foot  of 
it,  and  eat  their  breakfast  of  kangaroo  steaks.  Then 
Jack,  fixing  short  poles  into  the  ground  to  tie  the  bark 
to,  soon  set  all  the  youths  to  work  to  twist  strong  ropes 
of  considerable  length.  They  spent  some  hours  in  this 
labor,  and  completed  so  heavy  a  burden  of  ropes,  that 
when  they  set  out  again  they  looked  anxiously  for  an 
opportunity  of  relieving  themselves  by  putting  the  ropes 
to  profitable  use.  They  directed  their  steps  towards  a 
rocky  range  before  them,  which  held  out  a  prospect  of 
protection  for  the  night ;  and  bending  under  the  weight 
15*  (173) 


174  THE    CAVE    OF   PICTURES. 

of  their  burden,  they  were  glad  to  reach  the  straggling, 
mountainous,  sand-stone  rocks  which,  running  east  and 
west,  interrupted  their  direct  course. 

It  was  always  easy  in  these  ranges  to  find  caves  or 
hollow  grottos,  convenient  for  a  retreat,  and  the  bright 
moon  showed  them  a  low  opening,  which  admitted  them 
into  a  spacious  and  lofty  cave.  It  was  large  enough  to 
have  contained  fifty  persons,  dry  and  clean  —  for  the 
floor  was  of  fine  sand ;  and  when  they  had  lighted  a 
fire,  they  discovered  that  they  were  not  the  first  who 
had  inhabited  the  cave,  for  the  walls  were  covered  with 
rude,  colored  paintings  of  men  and  animals  —  the  men 
and  animals  of  Australia.  With  great  amusement  and 
astonishment  the  boys  looked  on  the  kangaroo,  the  opos- 
sum, many  curious  lizards,  and  heads  of  men,  colossal 
in  size,  and  imperfect  in  execution,  somewhat  resem- 
bling the  ambitious  child's  first  attempts  at  high  art. 

"  I  think  I  could  n't  draw  so  good  a  kangaroo  as  that 
myself,"  said  Gerald  ;  "  but  I  could  make  something 
more  like  the  head  of  a  man.  Do  look,  Margaret ;  that 
fellow  has  crimson  hair  and  a  green  nose." 

"  They  have  not,  certainly,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  u  at- 
tained perfection  in  the  art  of  coloring ;  nevertheless, 
the  uninstructed  men  who  could  accomplish  these  draw- 
ings cannot  be  so  deficient  in  abilities  as  we  have  been 
taught  to  believe  these  aborigines  are.  I  wish  we 
could,  with  safety  to  ourselves,  hold  intercourse  with  a 
small  number  of  them.  Could  it  not  be  attempted,  Ar- 
thur?" 

"  If  they  would  approach  us  openly,  we  would  endeav- 
or to  meet  them  amicably,  my  dear  father,"  answered 
Arthur ;  "  but  when  they  steal  on  us  treacherously,  we 
must  conclude  their  intentions  are  hostile.  Even  now 


KUTIl'S    SALLY    FROM    THE    CAVE.  175 

we  must  prepare  for  defence ;  and  though  we  might 
keep  watch  at  the  opening,  I  think  we  had  better  build 
it  up." 

They  soon  secured  the  entrance  with  slabs  of  stone, 
and  then  eat  their  supper,  and  slept  with  less  uneasiness 
than  usual. 

"  Who  has  moved  them  stones  ? "  asked  Wilkins, 
sharply,  as,  roused  by  the  light  streaming  in,  he  sprung 
from  the  nook  he  had  chosen  for  his  lair. 

"It's  that  fidgety  lass,"  answered  Jenny.  "She's 
been  scuttling  about  this  hour,  feeding  her  poultry,  and 
setting  things  to  rights  as  if  we  were  living  in  a  par- 
lor ;  and  then  she  roused  me  up  to  help  her  to  make  a 
bit  of  way  to  get  out  to  fetch  water.  You  see,  Wilkins, 
she 's  a  hard-working  lass,  but  it 's  her  way  to  make  a 
fuss." 

"  A  fuss,  indeed  !  "  replied  he,  indignantly ;  "  and  a 
nice  fuss  she  would  have  made  if  she  'd  let  a  hundred 
black  fellows  in  on  us.  Halloo,  Jack !  it  would  be  as 
well. if  we  were  off  to  see  after  that  unlucky  sister  of 
thine." 

The  rest  of  the  family  were  soon  aware  of  Ruth's 
errantry,  but  they  did  not  expect  she  would  be  far  from 
the  cave,  as  the  water  was  spread  in  pools  and  rills, 
abundantly,  at  the  foot  of  the  rocks.  The  next  minute, 
however,  they  were  startled  by  a  succession  of  shrieks, 
and  snatching  up  their  weapons,  the  young  men  rushed 
out,  and  then  saw,  to  their  great  vexation,  Ruth  running 
wildly  towards  them,  pursued  by  six  of  the  natives,  in 
their  usual  unclothed  state ;  and  it  was  plain  their  swift 
steps  would  soon  overtake  the  affrighted  girl,  unless 
they  were  promptly  checked. 


1  /  G  THE    WATER-POOLS. 

"  Shout  us  loud  as  ye  like,"  cried  Wilkins,  "but  mind 
not  to  send  a  single  arrow  without  hitting,  or  they'll  not 
care  a  dump  for  us.  See  and  aim  to  do  some  damage 
—  d'  ye  hear  ?  " 

The  natives  were  yelling  and  waving  their  spears, 
and  their  opponents  answered  by  hallooing  and  bran- 
dishing their  glittering  knives,  at  the  sight  of  which  the 
savages  stopped  suddenly,  and  looked  anxiously  round, 
as  if  expecting  reinforcement ;  then  discharging  a  volley 
of  spears,  they  turned  round  and  rapidly  fled  out  of 
sight. 

Ruth  was  left  lying  prostrate  on  the  ground,  and  when 
Jack  got  up  to  her,  he  found  a  spear  had  struck  her  on 
the  shoulder,  but  fortunately  stuck  in  her  wide  cloak, 
without  injuring  her,  though  her  terror  and  distress 
were  great. 

"  They  '11  eat  me  up,"  she  cried  out.  "  They  '11  eat  us 
all,  Jack  ;  and,  oh,  what  will  Jenny  say?  they  've  gotten 
my  water-can ! " 

In  her  great  fear,  the  poor  girl  had  thrown  away  the 
useful  gourd-bottle  —  a  serious  loss ;  and  Gerald  was 
intrusted  to  convey  her  back  to  the  cave,  while  the  rest 
went  forward  to  the  pools,  in  hopes  of  recovering  the 
gourd  and  procuring  water.  The  vessel  was,  happily, 
found,  and  filled  with  water,  and  the  youths  returned  to 
the  cave,  where  they  found  great  alarm  prevailing. 

"  Had  we  not  better  flee  without  delay  ?  "  asked  Mr. 
May  burn. 

Arthur  looked  significantly  at  Wilkins,  and  the  man 
said,  —  u  Ay,  ay,  Mr.  Arthur !  ye  have  a  head  ;  ye  can 
see  a  bit  afore  ye.  Why,  master,  a  bonnie  figure  we 
should  cut  running  ower  yon  bare  grounds  —  men  folks 


TOO    LATE    TO    RETREAT.  177 

and  women  folks,  all  like  a  pack  of  scared  rabbits,  wi'  a 
pack  of  a  hundred  or  so  of  these  naked  black  dogs  at 
our  heels." 

"  But,  my  good  man,  if  we  stay  here  we  shall  be 
slain,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  in  great  agitation. 

"  No,  no,  dear  papa,"  answered  Arthur.  "  I  conclude 
that  Wilkins's  plan  is,  that  we  should  remain  here,  and 
hold  our  impregnable  castle  till  the  foe  grows  tired  of 
the  hopeless  siege." 

"  That 's  the  best  thing,*  said  Wilkins ;  "  they  're  a 
set  of  stiff  hands,  and  we  'se  be  put  to  it  to  tire  'em  out ; 
but  we  '11  try  what  we  can  do.  And,  I  say,  master,  we 
must  give  a  look  round  for  stores  ;  we  '11  never  let  'em 
starve  us  out.  It  takes  good  rations  to  get  up  one's 
heart." 

"And  if  we  have  to  be  shut  up  some  time,"  said 
Margaret,  much  distressed,  "  we  must  have,  especially, 
a  supply  of  water." 

"In  course,  Miss,"  answered  Wilkins;  "that's  a 
thing  we  cannot  want,  barring  we  had  beer,  which  is  n't 
to  be  had,  more 's  the  pity.  Let 's  see ;  if  we  'd  a  bit 
of  a  tub  or  barrel,  we  'd  easy  fill 't  now,  afore  they  're 
back  on  us.  Nay,  nay,  Jenny,  woman ;  let  that  meat 
be  just  now,  and  bring  us  all  your  shells,  or  aught 
that  '11  hold  water." 

The  gourd  was  emptied  into  the  large  turtle-shell, 
and  Wilkins  took  it  back  to  be  refilled  at  the  pools,  the 
rest  following  with  the  largest  of  the  mussel-shells ;  and 
as  they  went  on,  they  carefully  looked  out  for  any  avail- 
able article  of  food  that  could  be  easily  attained  before 
the  return  of  the  enemy.  The  air  was  thronged  with 
birds,  and  every  tree  was  an  aviary.  They  might  soon 
have  brought  down  a  quantity  with  their  arrows,  but 
12 


178  LAYING    IN    PROVISIONS. 

Arthur  urged  on  them  the  necessity  of  first  obtaining  the 
water.  After  they  had  filled  all  their  water-vessels, 
they  found  they  should  only  have  a  supply  for  two  days, 
even  if  carefully  husbanded.  Thankful  even  for  this 
boon,  they  had  yet  time  to  shoot  a  dozen  pheasants, 
before  the  coo-ee  of  the  natives,  gradually  getting  nearer, 
made  it  necessary  that  they  should  seek  the  cave,  and 
make  ready  their  defences. 

Their  first  care  was  to  fortify  strongly  the  opening 
which  formed  their  entrance,  and  which  they  hoped  was 
the  only  weak  point.  But  as  it  was  evident,  from  the 
paintings,  tliat  this  cave  was  well  known  to  the  natives, 
it  was  expedient  to  search  it  thoroughly,  lest  there 
should  be  other  outlets.  Many  branches  ran  from  the 
main  cave,  but  all  seemed  equally  impregnable ;  and 
the  only  openings  were  small  gaps  far  above  the  ground, 
from  which  the  decomposed  sandstone  had  fallen,  and 
lay  scattered  in  fragments  over  the  ground.  There  were 
traces  of  fires,  showing  that  the  cave  had  been  previously 
inhabited,  but  no  remains  of  fuel;  and  a  few  withered 
sticks  that  they  had  brought  in  the  preceding  day  were 
all  the  provision  they  had  made  for  cooking  their  food. 

"After  all  our  wild  and  savage  life,"  said  Hugh,  "we 
are  not  yet  come  down  to  eat  uncooked  meat,  I  really 
think ;  and  by  your  leave,  Captain  Arthur,  we  will 
make  a  sally  to  pick  up  sticks." 

"  Look  through  this  cranny,  Hugh,  and  tell  me  if  you 
think  this  is  a  time  for  throwing  open  our  gates,"  said 
Arthur. 

u  I  give  in !  I  give  in  ! "  answered  the  boy.  "  Look 
out,  Gerald ;  see  what  a  swarm  of  dark  wretches,  all  in 
earnest  too,  for  they  have  sheaves  of  spears  in  the  left 
hand,  while  the  right  hand  is  raised  to  do  battle.  Keep 


THE    SIEGE    BEGUN.  179 

back,  Ruth !  you  simpleton.  You  have  certainly  seen 
enough  of  these  ugly  monsters." 

"  Oh  Miss  Marget !  "  shrieked  the  girl,  "  they  '11  come 
in  and  eat  us.  Stone  walls  is  nought  to  'em.  They  're 
not  Christian  folks,  they  're  spurrit?, !  they  're  skelling- 
tons  ;  I  ken  'em  by  their  bones.  Oh !  send  them  back 
to  their  graves,  master ! " 

Within  thirty  yards  of  the  rock,  and  immediately 
before  it,  were  gathered  crowds  of  fierce  savages ;  their 
dark  skins  marked  with  a  white  substance  like  pipe- 
clay, in  fantastic  figures ;  most  of  them  were  painted  to 
represent  skeletons.  And  while,  with  wild  and  demo- 
niac yells,  they  were  leaping  and  whirling  round  with 
graceful  agility,  they  poised  their  spears,  ready  to  cast 
them  as  soon  as  a  victim  appeared  in  sight.  There  was 
a  painful  expression  of  surprise  and  vexation  on  every 
face ;  and  Jack,  usually  so  indulgent  to  his  sister's 
foibles,  could  not  help  saying : 

"  Oh,  Ruth,  lass  !  this  is  thy  doing." 

"  Why,  Jack,  honey ! "  sobbed  she,  "  what  could  I 
think,  when  I  seed  that  big  grinning  black  face  glouring 
at  me  fra'  t'  middle  on  a  bush,  and  none  nigh  hand  me : 
and  oh !  honey,  I'd  setten  out  afore  I  said  my  prayers. 
What  could  I  do  but  just  skirl  and  run  ?  and  I  did  it." 

"  That  you  did,  Ruth,  and  no  mistake,"  said  O'Brien. 
"  But,  after  all,  it 's  better  to  have  our  enemies  before 
our  face  than  at  our  back.  Will  I  send  an  arrow  among 
them,  Arty  ?  " 

"  Certainly  not,  Gerald,"  answered  Arthur ;  "  we 
may  need  all  our  arrows,  and  we  had  better  not  be  the 
first  to  commence  an  aggression.  If  we  had  had  plenty 
of  powder  and  shot,  I  have  no  doubt  we  might  have 
dispersed  them  without  bloodshed;  but  I  am  loth  to 


180  THE    FIRST    SPEAR. 

waste  a  single  cartridge  of  our  small   store.     What  are 
they  about  now,  Hugh  ?  " 

One  tall  savage  had  mounted  a  mass  of  rock  about 
thirty  yards  from  them ;  and  now,  with  wonderful  dex- 
terity, he  sent  a  spear  whirling  through  the  air  directly 
fhrough  a  small  gap  in  the  rock,  about  twenty  feet  from 
the  ground.  Most  fortunately,  Arthur  had  ordered  the 
whole  party  to  gather  close  to  the  entrance,  and  the 
weapon  passed  on  one  side  of  them,  and  falling  upon  a 
shell  of  water  tilted  it  over. 

"  Good-for-nothing  rascals ! "  cried  Jenny.  "  See 
what  a  mischief  they  've  done." 

"  Be  thankful,  nurse,"  said  Arthur,  "  that  we  saw  the 
intention  of  the  fellow,  and  were  able  to  escape  the 
spear.  We  now  know  our  weak  points,  and  may  keep 
out  of  harm's  way." 

But  Gerald,  who  thought  the  first  aggression  was 
committed,  no  longer  scrupled  to  draw  his  bow,  and  sent 
an  arrow,  which  he  had  barbed  with  skill,  into  the 
shoulder  of  the  warrior  on  the  rock,  with  such  force, 
that  he  was  hurled  to  the  ground.  In  an  instant  all  his 
companions  crowded  around  him ;  he  was  raised  from 
the  ground,  and  the  whole  party  disappeared  in  the 
bush,  with  every  symptom  of  terror. 

Wilkins  was  in  an  ecstasy  of  delight.  He  patted 
Gerald  roughly  on  the  back,  saying,  "  That's  the  thing, 
my  brave  lad ;  ye  're  of  the  right  sort ;  ye  've  let  the 
rogues  see  what  we  can  do.  But  if  ye  'd  missed  him 
we  'd  every  soul  been  done.  They  'd  have  reckoned 
nought  on  us." 

"  It  was  a  rash  act,  Gerald,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn ;  "  but 
I  hope  the  poor  man  is  not  seriously  injured." 

Wilkins  made  a  grimace  as  he  said,  "  Them  there  ar- 


GEKALD'S  DEED  OF  ARMS.  181 

rows  is  made  o'  purpose  to  injer,  master.  They  're  a  bit 
sharpish  to  bide  when  they  bang  in  among  a  fellow's 
bones,  and  no  doctor  at  hand  to  hack  'em  out." 

"  Did  n't  I  tell  you,  Master  Gerald,"  said  Ruth,  "  that 
it  were  a  sin  and  a  shame  to  make  them  things  as  would 
rive  folks'  flesh  ?  " 

"  You  are  the  girl  that  said  that,"  answered  Gerald, 
wild  with  his  exploit ;  "  and  were  n't  you  right,  Ruth, 
astore  !  I  meant  them  to  rive  ;  and  see  how  the  cow- 
ards have  scampered  off  from  them.  Could  n't  we  go 
out  now,  Arthur  ?  You  know  we  want  firewood." 

"  Do  not  be  impatient,  Gerald,"  replied  Arthur,  "  we 
have  fuel  sufficient  for  one  day,  and  we  do  not  know 
how  far  our  foes  may  have  fled." 

"  Depend  on  't,  Mr  Arthur,"  said  Wilkins,  "  there  's 
not  a  bush  or  a  rock  we  see  but  has  its  man.  We  '11 
have  to  make  shift  to  live  on  what  we  have  for  a  bit. 
They  '11  soon  be  trying  another  dodge." 

But  though  the  usual  coo-ee  rang  through  the  distant 
woods,  mingled  with  the  soft  low  wailing  of  the  voices 
of  women,  the  people  were  not  seen  again  during  a  day 
which  seemed  unusually  long  to  the  anxious  prisoners. 
The  women  cooked  the  pheasants  with  the  last  firewood, 
while  Margaret  filled  a  pillow-cover  with  the  feathers 
for  her  father's  head ;  but  they  had  all  become  so  accus- 
tomed to  the  hard  earth,  or  at  best  to  a  bed  of  wiry  grass, 
that  even  Mr.  Mayburn  regarded  this  pillow  as  a  useless 
luxury,  and  an  undesirable  addition  to  the  baggage, 
which  rendered  their  journey  so  tedious. 

"  I  will  undertake  to  carry  the  light  pillow,"  said  Mar- 
garet, <;  and  I  trust  we  may  again  meet  with  a  river  to 
lighten  the  toil  of  our  pilgrimage." 

"  If  we  found  a  wagon  drawn  by  oxen,  like  them 
16 


182  THE    WEARINESS    OF    CONFINEMENT. 

Mr.  Deverell  bought,"  said  Jenny,  "  it  would  be  fitter 
for  my  master  and  you,  Miss  Marget." 

"  And  a  few  good  horses  for  the  rest  of  us,  nurse," 
said  Hugh ;  "but  say  what  you  will,  papa,  of  the  beauty 
and  excellence  of  this  new  country,  it  is  a  great  vexa- 
tion that  there  are  no  beasts  of  burden.  Neither  ele- 
phant nor  camel ;  not  even  a  llama  or  a  quagga  which 
may  be  reduced  to  servitude.  No  four-footed  creature 
have  we  yet  seen  but  the  kangaroo ;  and  one  never  read, 
even  in  the  Fairy  Tales,  of  a  man  hopping  along, 
mounted  on  a  kangaroo." 

"Nothing  for  it  but  trudging,  Hugh,"  said  Gerald, 
"  unless  we  could  meet  with  an  ostrich  to  tame." 

"  I  fear,"  replied  Mr.  Mayburn,  "  that  the  emu,  which 
is  the  ostrich  of  Australia,  is  not  formed  for  carrying 
burdens,  nor  tractable  enough  to  submit  to  the  domin- 
ion of  man.  I  am  anxious  to  see  the  bird,  though  I 
fear  we  may  obtain  no  advantage  from  meeting  with 
it." 

In  rambling  among  the  caves  to  fill  up  the  tedious 
hours,  the  boys  discovered,  in  a  distant  branch  cavern,  a 
heap  of  dry  wood  which  had  fallen  through  an  opening 
in  the  rock,  at  least  fifty  feet  above  them.  If  this  open- 
ing were  even  known  to  the  natives,  it  could  not  avail 
them  as  a  means  of  descent  to  the  cave,  and,  much  to 
the  mortification  of  the  adventurous  boys,  it  was  totally 
inaccessible  from  the  interior. 

"  But  we  can  comfort  nurse's  heart,"  said  Hugh,  "  by 
the  report  that  we  have  found  fuel  enough  for  an  Eng- 
lish winter.  And  see,  Gerald,  some  of  these  strong 
straight  sticks  will  make  us  a  sheaf  of  arrows,  and  we 
can  barb  them  with  the  fish-bones  we  preserved. 
Here 's  our  work  for  the  day.*' 


THE   ASSAULT.  183 

It  was  a  comfort  to  Margaret  to  have  the  two  most 
restless  of  the  party  quietly  employed ;  though  Mr. 
Mayburn  objected  to  the  barbing  of  the  arrows,  so  un- 
necessary for  destroying  birds,  so  cruel  if  meant  for  the 
savages.  Wilkins  sat  down  to  make  a  pair  of  shoes  of 
the  skin  of  the  kangaroo,  and  Jack  made  more  ropes 
with  the  remains  of  the  stringy  bark.  And  thus  the 
day  of  anxiety  passed  without  more  alarm. 

Another  morning  dawned  through  the  chinks  of  the 
rocky  walls,  and  for  some  time  all  was  so  still,  that  they 
began  to  hope  the  natives  had  withdrawn ;  but  before 
the  middle  of  the  day  the  whole  troop  presented  them- 
selves so  suddenly,  that  they  were  close  to  the  rocks, 
and  thus,  secure  from  the  arrows  of  the  besieged,  before 
they  could  prevent  their  approach. 

They  had  come  armed  with  heavy  clubs,  with  which 
they  began  violently  to  batter  the  walled  entrance. 
This  was  a  formidable  mode  of  attack,  and  the  only 
mode  of  defence  was  to  accumulate  more  stones  to 
strengthen  the  barrier.  Still  the  men  persevered,  fresh 
parties  relieving  those  who  were  tired ;  but  the  defence 
seemed  already  shaking ;  while  Margaret,  always  reso- 
lute in  difficulties,  had  herself  almost  lost  the  power  of 
consoling  her  more  timid  father.  Wilkins  seemed 
watching  for  an  opportunity,  placed  before  a  narrow 
crevice  in  the  rock,  which  was  shaded  outside  by  brush, 
and  suddenly  they  saw  him  plunge  his  long  knife  through 
the  opening  against  which  he  had  seen  one  of  the  na- 
tives leaning. 

The  knife  entered  the  back  of  the  man,  who  uttered 
a  groan,  and  fell.  He  was  immediately  surrounded  by 
the  rest,  who  examined  the  wound,  and  then  gazed 
round,  apparently  unable  to  comprehend  the  nature  of 


184  THE    FORLORN    HOPE. 

this  attack  from  an  invisible  enemy.  Some  of  the  men 
fled  at  once,  many  of  them  pierced  by  the  arrows  the 
young  men  sent  after  them,  while  others  remained  to 
bear  away,  with  care  and  tenderness,  the  bleeding  body 
of  their  companion,  who  appeared  to  be  mortally 
wounded.  These  humane  men  were  respected,  even 
by  their  opponents,  and  permitted  to  retire  unmolested ; 
and  for  the  remainder  of  the  day,  except  for  the  sounds 
of  mourning  from  the  native  women,  which,  however, 
gradually  became  more  faint  and  distant,  all  continued 
still  and  peaceful. 

The  next  morning  broke  on  the  besieged  party  with 
the  melancholy  conviction  that  their  fortress  was  no 
longer  tenable.  The  spring  was  already  advanced,  the 
air  had  become  hot  and  parching,  and  the  water  was 
exhausted. 

"  We  must  endeavor,  under  any  circumstances,"  said 
Arthur,  "  to  procure  water,  or  we  must  die.  I  propose 
that  three  of  us  should  set  out  to  the  nearest  pool  for  a 
supply,  leaving  the  rest  to  guard  the  entrance ;  and  if 
we  are  successful,  to  re-admit  us.  If  the  savages  should 
attack  and  overcome  us,  then  it  will  be  the  duty  of  those 
left  here  to  close  the  barrier,  leaving  us  to  our  fate,  and 
to  use  every  exertion  in  their  power  to  protect  and  save 
the  feeble." 

Sad  as  was  this  necessity,  it  was  imperative,  and  now 
the  question  was,  who  were  to  have  the  honor  of  joining 
the  "  Forlorn  Hope,"  as  Hugh  termed  the  expedition. 
Arthur  decided  that  the  party  should  consist  of  Hugh, 
Wilkins,  and  himself.  Jack  was  too  useful  to  be  risked, 
Gerald  too  rash  to  be  trusted. 

Arthur  would  not  even  take  with  him  the  valuable 
rifle,  their  prime  reliance,  but  left  it  in  the  charge  ot 


THE    FORLORN    HOPE.  185 

Jack.  Then,  with  bows  and  arrows  slung  over  their 
backs,  and  such  water-vessels  as  they  could  command  in 
their  hands,  they  cautiously  went  out,  leaving  orders  to 
the  garrison,  that  each  man  should  stand  before  his  slab 
of  stone,  to  be  ready  to  replace  it  before  the  opening,  if 
necessary. 

They  reached  the  pool  without  interruption,  satisfied 
their  own  thirst,  filled  the  vessels,  and  then,  with  joy 
and  triumph,  turned  homewards.  But  before  they  had 
proceeded  many  yards,  a  loud  "  Coo-ee"  not  far  from 
them,  proved  they  had  not  escaped  notice.  The  cry 
was  echoed  from  many  distant  spots,  and  the  water-car- 
riers redoubled  their  speed,  till  a  spear,  whizzing  close 
to  the  ear  of  Wilkins,  induced  Arthur  to  call  a  halt. 
They  faced  round,  set  down  their  water-buckets,  and 
handled  their  bows.  They  saw  that  they  were  pursued 
by  about  a  dozen  men,  who  were  thirty  or  forty  yards 
behind  them,  amongst  whom  they  discharged  arrows, 
two  or  three  times  in  rapid  succession,  with  some  ef- 
fect, it  would  seem,,  from  the  confusion  and  irresolution 
which  they  observed  had  taken  place  among  the  na- 
tives ;  of  which  they  took  advantage,  and  snatching  up 
their  valuable  burdens,  they  reached  the  cave  before 
the  savages  rallied,  and,  being  joined  by  a  reinforce- 
ment, were  quickly  following  them. 

"Up  with  the  defences,"  cried  Arthur,  breathlessly. 
"  And  now,  thank  God  !  we  shall  be  able  to  hold  out 
two  or  three  days  longer." 

"  Then  we  shall  have  to  live  on  potatoes  and  these 

few  green   oats,"    said  Jenny,  "for  we  have  only  six 

pheasants  left,  and  they  spoil  fast  in    this    hot  place. 

But,  to  be  sure,  there  's  them  greedy  hens,  th'it  can  eat 

16* 


186  RELIEF. 

as  much  as  a  man,  and  are  no  good,  unless  we  eat 
them." 

"Oh  no,  Jenny,  please  don't!"  cried  Ruth.  "See, 
here 's  six  eggs  they  Ve  laid  ;  is  n  't  that  some  good  ? 
poor  bit  things  !  Oh,  Miss  Marget,  dinnot  let  'em  be 
killed ! " 

Margaret  willingly  granted  the  fowls  their  lives,  the 
eggs  being  considered  equivalent  to  the  oats  the  animals 
consumed ;  and  she  begged  Jenny  to  have  more  trust 
in  God,  who  had  till  now  continued  to  supply  their 
"  daily  bread." 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

Rambles  through  the  Caves.  — Fairy  Bower. —  A  Rough  Path  to 
Freedom.  —  Preparations  for  Flight.  —  The  Use  of  the  Rifle.— 
A  Case  of  Conscience.  —  Departure.  —  Travelling  among  the 
Bogs.  —  A  View  of  the  River.  —  Making  an  Axe.  —  A  New  Plant. 

AFTER  they  had  dined  with  strict  economy,  and  ascer- 
tained that  their  savage  foes  had  for  the  present  with- 
drawn into  the  bush,  they  resumed  their  usual  occupa- 
tions. Hugh  and  Gerald,  impatient  under  their  con- 
finement, chose  to  ramble  through  the  mazy  windings  of 
the  various  hollows  which  existed  in  the  sandstone  rock, 
searching  for  a  long  time  in  vain  for  novelty  or  adven- 
ture ;  at  length  they  wound  along  a  branch  passage, 
which  terminated,  to  their  astonishment,  in  a  wall, 
hung,  like  a  bower,  with  garlands  of  flowery  creeping 
plants,  from  which  the  notes  of  various  birds  greeted 
the  ears  .of  the  delighted  boys. 

"  Sure  enough,  Hugh,  this  is  Fairy  Bower,"  said  Ger- 
ald. 

"  It  is  open  to  the  day,"  said  Hugh,  "  and  we  must 
find  out  what  lies  beyond  it." 

A  slab  of  rock,  which  had  fallen  inwards,  lay  close  to 
the  wall ;  it  was  six  feet  in  height,  but  by  making  a 
staircase  of  other  fragments  which  were  lying  round, 
they  mounted  the  fallen  slab,  and  putting  aside  the  leafy 
curtains  which  hid  the  opening,  they  looked  out  on  a 
complete  wilderness  of  rocky  masses  and  green  thickets, 
which  appeared  at  once  impervious  and  interminable. 
The  temptation  to  be  once  more  under  the  open  sky 

(1ST) 


188  THE    WHITE    CROSS. 

could  not  be  resisted,  and  without  much  difficulty  the 
boys^  descended  among  the  matted  bushes. 

"'We  will  follow  out  the  adventure,"  said  Gerald, 
"till  we  reach  the  Enchanted  Castle.  Had  we  not  b<  t- 
ter  cut  some  spears  as  we  make  our  way,  that  we  may 
be  prepared  to  slay  the  dragons  ?  " 

"We  had  better  have  had  one  of  Jack's  balls  of 
cord,"  replied  Hugh,  "  that  we  might  have  tied  one  end 
here  before  we  set  out,  or  we  shall  never  be  able  to  find 
our  way  back  through  such  a  labyrinth." 

"  Could  n'  t  we  drop  pebbles,  as  Hop-o'-my-Thumb 
did  ?  "  asked  Gerald. 

"  Where  are  we  to  get  the  pebbles  ? "  answered 
Hugh,  "and  how  could  we  find  them  again,  man, 
among  this  brush  ?  But  what  is  this  white,  chalky-look- 
ing material  by  the  pool?  I  cannot  help  thinking  it 
must  be  the  clay  which  the  savages  use  for  painting 
their  bodies.  Let  us  get  some ;  I  have  a  use  for  it." 

They  collected  some  of  this  moist  pipe-clay  on  a 
large  leaf,  and  climbing  again  to  the  opening,  they  cut 
away  a  portion  of  the  creepers  to  uncover  the  rock,  up- 
on which  they  marked,  as  high  as  they  could  reach,  a 
large  white  cross. 

"  We  cannot  miss  that  holy  and  propitious  sign," 
said  Hugh,  "  so  let  us  venture  forward,  Gerald.  It  is 
such  a  charming  novelty  to  be  able  to  walk  fearlessly  in 
the  open  air.  You  observe  we  are  now  facing  the 
south  ;  so  if  we  can  discover  an  outlet  from  this  thicket, 
we  snail  be  on  the  direct  track  to  continue  our  jour- 
ney." 

It  was  not  easy,  however,  to  preserve  any  direct 
course  through  the  tangled  brake,  which  was  occasion- 
ally broken  by  patches  of  fine  grass  and  rills  of  water, 


THE   ROAD    TO    LIBERTY.  189 

and  diversified  by  tall  trees ;  the  various  kinds  of  Eu- 
calyptus, the  wild  nutmeg  with  its  spicy  odor,  and  the 
acacia  covered  with  golden  blossoms,  the  whole  being 
mingled  with  masses  of  rock  fallen  from  the  regular 
range,  broken  into  fragments  and  scattered  far  and 
wide  ;  some  grown  over  with  the  vegetation  of  years, 
and  others  freshly  rent  from  the  soft  decaying  moun- 
tains. 

Threading  their  way  throagh  this  lovely  wilderness, 
not  forgetting  to  look  back  frequently  at  their  guiding 
signal,  the  boys  now  hailed  with  pleasure  and  admira- 
tion the  sight  of  thousands  of  birds  springing  from  their 
nests,  while  each,  in  its  own  peculiar  language,  seemed 
to  deprecate  the  intrusion  of  the  presumptuous  stran- 
gers. 

*'  Won't  we  carry  back  birds  and  eggs  enough  to  vic- 
tual the  fortress  for  a  week  ! "  said  Gerald. 

"  No  need  for  that,  Gerald,"  answered  Hugh,  "  when 
we  have  the  preserve  in  our  own  private  grounds.  We 
can  just  bag  a  brace  or  two,  to  prove  the  truth  to  our 
people.  But,  now,  my  boy,  we  must  try  to  find  the  end 
of  this  wonderful  maze  —  who  knows  but  what  it  may 
lead  to  liberty  ?  " 

"  It  is  a  rough  road  anyhow,"  said  Gerald.  But  they 
struggled  through  thick  bushes,  leaped  over  rocks,  or 
waded  through  pools  or  rills  for  more  than  an  hour,  and 
then,  fearful  of  alarming  their  friends,  they  proposed  to 
return.  But  just  as  they  had  made  this  resolve,  Hugh 
declared  that  he  heard  the  sound  of  rolling  water,  and 
they  continued  their  toilsome  exertions  till  they  reached 
at  length  the  side  of  a  rapid  river,  which  poured 
through  a  narrow  gorge  in  the  mountains,  and  flowed 
towards  the  west.  The  river  seemed  about  fifty  yards 


190  GOOD    TIDINGS. 

across,  and  too  deep  to  be  forded  ;  the  banks  were 
overgrown  with  tall  bamboos  mingled  with  fine  rushes  ; 
but  beyond  the  south  banks,  the  country  appeared  more 
open. 

"  If  we  could  only  cross  this  river,"  said  Hugh,  "we 
should  completely  escape  from  those  cowardly  blacks, 
who  have,  I  believe,  no  canoes.  We  will  bring  Jack 
here ;  he  can  find  bark  in  abundance  for  his  use,  and  if 
we  help  him,  I  have  no  doubt  he  can  make  a  canoe  that 
will  carry  us  across.  At  any  rate,  let  us  take  him  a 
piece  of  the  bark  to  tempt  him  to  come." 

They  soon  stripped  from  the  stem  a  piece  of  flexible 
bark,  and,  with  some  of  the  fibres  of  the  stringy  bark, 
they  tied  this  into  a  bag,  which  they  filled,  as  they  re- 
turned, with  eggs  and  four  brace  of  good-sized  young 
pheasants.  They  kept  in  the  track  they  had  made  in 
coming,  and  having  the  white  cross  before  them  as  a 
guide,  they  had  much  less  difficulty  in  their  homeward 
course  than  they  expected,  and  in  very  great  spir- 
its presented  themselves  before  their  greatly  anxious 
friends. 

"  We  have  been  out  on  a  sporting  expedition,"  said 
Gerald,  flinging  down  the  birds.  "  What  do  you  think 
of  our  game-bag,  General  Arthur  ?  " 

"  I  must  think  that  you  have  been  very  rash  and  im- 
prudent," answered  Arthur.  "I  conclude,  boys,  that 
you  have  found  some  other  outlet  from  the  cave  ;  but 
how  could  you  risk  discovery  for  the  sake  of  these 
birds?" 

"  We  have  discovered  an  outlet,"  replied  Hugh  j 
"  but  I  think  even  Margaret  and  my  father  will  agree 
that  there  was  no  risk,  when  they  see  the  place.  Now 
you  must  all  listen  to  our  wonderful  adventure." 


THE    PIONEERS.  19. 

They  did  listen  with  great  pleasure  and  thankfulness. 
The  earnest  desire  of  every  heart  was  to  escape  from 
the  constant  dogged  and  depressing  pursuit  of  their  sav- 
age and  artful  foes,  and  the  account  of  the  unsuspected 
path  to  the  river  filled  them  with  the  hopes  which  they 
had  nearly  abandoned. 

"  Can  we  not  set  out  now  ? "  asked  Mr.  Mayburn 
eagerly.  "  Certainly  not,  my  father,"  answered  Arthur. 
"  It  will  first  be  necessary  that  we  have  some  means 
arranged  for  crossing  the  river ;  besides,  the  day  is  too 
far  advanced  for  us  to  make  such  an  important  move- 
ment before  night ;  and  we  must  try  to  divert  the  sus- 
picions of  the  savages  from  our  flight,  by  letting  them 
believe  we  still  intend  to  hold  the  fortress." 

"  If  you  're  not  knocked  up,  Master  Hugh,"  said  Jack, 
"  I  should  like  well  to  see  with  my  own  eyes  what  there 
is  to  do,  and  whether  I  can  do  it  or  not.  Would  you 
mind  guiding  me  ;  and  Wilkins,  may  be,  will  go  with 
us,  to  help  me  to  carry  down  my  ropes  ?  " 

"Wilkins  was  always  ready  and  willing ;  lie  shouldered 
a  coil  of  rope,  and  the  two  unwearied  boys,  followed  by 
him  and  Jack,  set  out  to  show  their  marvellous  discovery 
to  the  two  practical  men,  who  looked  round  at  the 
charming  wilderness  with  an  eye  to  the  usefulness 
rather  than,  to  the  beauty  of  all  they  saw. 

"  Birds  is  poor  feeding,  and  eggs  is  worse,"  said  Wil- 
kins ;  "  but  if  we  iver  get  free  fra'  them  dowly  stone 
walls,  we  'se  see  if  we  can't  get  a  shot  at  them  kangaroos. 
Ay,  ay  !  Master  Hugh,  any  sky  over  head 's  better  nor 
a  jail ;  not  but  I  've  been  shut  in  worse  prisons  nor  yon, 
God  forgive  me ;  but  ye  see  I  were  reet  sarved  then. 
But  it  is  aggravatin,  I  say,  to  bar  oneself  up  wi'  one's 
own  will  like." 


192  THE    FERRY-BOAT. 

"  See  here,  Wilkins,"  exclaimed  Jack  ;  "  what  a 
grand  stock  of  all  kinds  of  wood,  if  we  had  but  a  few 
good  tools.  I  noticed  that  a  black  fellow  that  was  fight- 
ing yesterday  had  a  capital  axe  in  his  hand  ;  it  seemed 
to  be  made  of  a  sort  of  flint  stone,  and  I  only  wish  we 
could  meet  with  a  piece  fit  for  such  a  job." 

"It's  not  a  time  to  be  felling  trees,"  replied  Wilkins, 
''when  we  've  a  troop  of  black  rogues  at  our  heels. 
Now  come,  we  're  here,  it  seems,  at  t'  river  they  Celled 
on,  and  a  canny  river  it  is  ;  if  we  can  manage  to  put  it 
atween  us  and  them,  we'se  have  a  clear  coast,  I 
reckon  ;  for  they  always  keep  at  their  own  side." 

"Then help  me  to  bark  this  tree,"  said  Jack;  "and  if 
we  cannot  manage  a  canoe,  we  '11  try  a  ferry-boat." 

The  tree  was  barked  in  one  long  sheet,  the  ends 
were  tied  up  with  cords,  and  this  was  Jack's  extempore 
canoe.  But  as  soon  as  it  was  hastily  completed,  they 
were  compelled  to  speed  homeward  to  prevent  them- 
selves being  bewildered  in  the  darkness  ;  and  even  now, 
but  for  the  visible  white  cross,  they  wo-uld  have  been 
unable  to  distinguish  the  entrance.  "  Now,  Nurse, 
darling,"  cried  Gerald,  dancing  round  Jenny,  "  pack  up 
your  pots  and  pans  and  bundles,  and  you,  Ruth,  call  up 
your  precious  chicks,  and  make  ready.  Then,  at  day- 
break, when  you  hear  me  whistle  the  reveille,  fall  into 
your  ranks,  to  march." 

"  We  do  not  know  how  far  the  ground  beyond  the 
wilderness  may  be  exposed,"  said  Arthur,  "  and  we  had 
better  look  out  before  we  leave  in  the  morning,  to  ob- 
serve if  all  continues  still." 

"  That 's  all  just  as  it  ought,  Mr.  Arthur,"  said  Wil- 
kins ;  "  ye  're  a  sharp  chap  at  a  drill.  And  we  'd  as 
well  puzzle  'em  a  bit,  and  rattle  out  a  few  arrows  just 


THE    EFFECTS    OF    A    SHOT.  193 

afore  we  start,  to  make  'em  believe  we  mean  to  haud 
f)ur  own." 

In  the  morning,  when  all  was  ready  for  setting  out, 
and  they  had  laid  the  foundation  of  a  good  breakfast, 
the  scream  of  Ruth,  who  had  climbed  to  an  aperture  to 
obtain  a  look-out,  announced  that  the  objects  of  her 
antipathy  were  in  sight.  All  flocked  to  the  crevices  to 
ascertain  what  they  had  to  fear,  and  observed  that  a 
number  of  the  natives  were,  laden  with  bundles  of  dry 
wood,  which  they  had  piled  before  the  rock,  and  made 
up  a  fire,  having  apparently  chosen  to  establish  them- 
selves there,  and  keep  a  perpetual  watch,  and  yet 
keep  too  close  to  the  rock  to  be  in  danger  from  the  ar- 
rows of  the  beseiged.  This  was  vexatious,  and  Wil- 
kins  said,  —  "  Ye  're  tied  to  waste  a  shot  on  'em,  or  here 
they  '11  sit  and  watch  and  listen,  and  sure  enough  they  '11 
make  out  we're  away,  if  they  hear  nought  stirring  in- 
side, and  they  '11  be  off  to  stop  us.  Look  at  yon  fellow, 
painted  red,  quavering  about,  and  banging  t'  stones  wi' 
his  axe.  That 's  t'  chap  as  sent  his  spear  close  to  my 
ears,  and  I  owe  him  yet  for  that  job.  Just  let  me  have 
a  chance,  Mr.  Arthur.  I  ken  ye  're  all  soft-hearted,  so 
I  'se  not  kill  him  outright." 

Arthur  was  very  reluctant  to  waste  one  cartridge  or 
spill  one  drop  of  blood  ;  but  the  fierce  gestures  of  the 
powerful  savage,  and  his  violent  blows  against  the 
walled  entrance,  rendered  him  a  dangerous  antag- 
onist ;  and  on  the  promise  of  Wilkins  that  he  would 
not  mortally  wound  the  man,  Arthur  resigned  the 
loaded  rifle  to  one  he  knew  to  be  well  skilled  in  fire- 
arms. 

Wilkins  carefully  selected  his  position  and  his  time, 
and  when  the  savage  raised  his  arm  for  the  stroke,  he 
17 


194  THE    DEPARTURE. 

fired  into  his  shoulder.  With  a  horrible  yell,  the  man 
threw  down  the  axe,  and  fell  upon  his  face.  In  a  mo- 
ment the  whole  troop,  with  cries  of  terror,  were  flying 
towards  the  woods  ;  two  only  remaining,  who  hastily 
lifted  and  carried  away  the  wounded  man,  with  loud 
wailings. 

"  There !  we  *se  be  clear  on  'em  for  one  bit,"  said 
Wilkins.  "  Now  's  our  time  to  be  off." 

"  But  I  should  like  much  to  have  the»  axe,"  said 
Jack.  "  Surely,  Mr.  Arthur,  there  could  be  no  harm 
in  our  taking  the  axe." 

"  And  sure  we  will  take  it,"  exclaimed  Gerald.  "  All 
fair,  you  know,  general ;  the  spoils  of  battle.  The  axe 
we  may  consider  as  prize-money." 

"  What  does  papa  say  ?  I  leave  the  affairs  of  justice 
to  him,"  said  Arthur,  smiling. 

"  Then,  I  think,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  deliberately  — 
"Margaret,  tell  me  if  I  am  right  —  I  think  we,  as 
Christians,  should  set  a  bad  example  to  heathens,  if  \ve 
carried  off  their  property." 

Jack  sighed,  as  he  looked  wistfully  at  the  axe 
through  an  opening  in  the  rock,  and  said,  —  "  It  is  tied 
to  the  handle  with  the  stringy-bark,  and  then  it  seems 
fixed  with  gum.  I  'm  sure  I  could  manage  it,  Mr.  Ar- 
thur, if  we  could  only  meet  with  the  right  stone  ;  but 
this  soft  sandy  rock  is  good  for  nothing." 

But  now  no  more  time  was  to  be  wasted.  All 
marched  along,  more  or  less  laden,  headed  by  the  two 
proud  pioneers,  and  with  their  various  packages  were 
safely  got  through  the  opening,  and,  to  their  great  joy, 
once  more  tasted  the  blessing  of  fresh  air.  The  pleas- 
ure of  Mr.  Mayburn,  among  the  variety  of  strange 
birds,  was  unbounded  ;  and  he  was  with  difficulty 


THE    BOGS.  195 

vailed  on  to  move  forwards,  by  the  promise  that,  under 
more  favorable  circumstances,  they  would  all  assist 
him  in  obtaining  specimens  of  the  curious  new  species. 
But  now  expedition  was  prudent,  and  even  imperative, 
and  over  the  twice-trodden  track  they  moved  silently 
and  speedily  till  they  reached  the  river. 

There  lay  the  frail  bark  Jack  had  contrived  for  cross- 
ing the  river,  and  to  each  end  of  which  he  now  attached 
one  of  his  long  coils  of  cerd.  Then,  taking  up  two 
pieces  of  bark  he  had  prepared  for  paddles,  he  called 
out,  —  "  Now,  Master  Hugh,  just  take  hold  of  the  coil 
at  the  prow  ;  step  in,  and  we'll  try  her.  Mr.  Arthur 
and  Wilkins  must  run  out  the  stern-rope,  and  when 
we  're  over,  Miss  need  have  no  fear." 

Hugh,  pleased  to  be  selected  for  the  first  enterprise, 
leaped  upon  the  slender  canoe,  and  assisted  Jack  to  pad- 
dle it  across  the  rapid  river  ;  and  when  they  safely 
reached  the  reedy  bank,  they  unrolled  their  rope  and 
secured  the  end,  allowing  the  bark  to  be  drawn  back  for 
Margaret,  who  was  the  first  single  passenger.  She  ac- 
complished her  short  voyage  happily,  and,  one  at  a 
time,  the  party  were  ferried  over,  bringing  their  pack- 
ages with  them.  Then  the  ropes  were  cut  away  to  be 
preserved,  and  the  light  boat  was  suffered  to  drift  down 
the  stream  ;  while  the  thankful,  emancipated  prisoners 
forced  their  way  through  the  jungle  of  reeds  and  canes, 
arid  saw  before  them  a  bright-green  luxuriant  plain, 
spreading  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach. 

"  Musha !  "  cried  the  Irish  O'Brien,  laughing  joyfully. 
"  Sure  I  have  come  on  my  own  dear  native  bogs !  the 
emerald  plains  of  old  Hibernia.  No  want  of  water 
now,  my  boys !  Don't  I  hear  it  trickling  beneath  that 


196  CROSSING    THE    MARSH. 

bright  turf,  and  won't  we  soak  our  boots  well,  my 
dears?" 

"They're  bogs,  sure  enough,"  said  Wilkins,  "and 
there 's  nought  for  it  but  making  a  run.  Slow  and  sure 
would  be  all  wrong  here,  Mr.  Arthur,  where,  if  ye  don't 
skip,  ye  must  sink.  Here,  give  me  hold  of  yer  hand, 
old  woman,  and  lope  on  wi'  me." 

Jenny,  to  whom  this  invitation  was  addressed,  was 
not  accustomed  to  lope  ;  but,  half  dragged  and  half  lifted 
by  Wilkins,  she  followed  the  rest,  who  were  plunging, 
wading,  running,  or  leaping,  from  one  dry  spot  to 
another,  over  the  luxuriant  reedy  marsh.  The  ground 
was  thronged  with  thousands  of  wild  fowls,  especially 
with  numbers  of  a  graceful,  bright-colored  bird  of  the 
crane  species,  very  attractive  to  Mr.  Mayburn.  Clouds 
of  troublesome  insects  filled  the  air ;  but  life  and  liberty 
were  in  view,  and  small  annoyances  were  disregarded ; 
and,  in  the  strength  of  their  substantial  breakfast,  the 
travellers  pursued  their  toilsome  course  across  the 
marshy  ground,  till  towards  the  end  of  the  day,  com- 
pletely worn  out,  they  cast  themselves  down  to  rest  on 
the  side  of  a  firm  hillock,  beneath  the  shade  of  a  lofiy 
spreading  tree,  which  had  the  rare  quality,  in  Australia, 
of  a  thick  foliage  of  large  leaves,  and  seemed  to  be  a 
species  of  chestnut. 

Then  the  bows  were  put  in  requisition,  and  wild 
ducks  procured  for  supper ;  and,  after  this  needful  re- 
freshment, they  united  in  thanks  to  God  for  their  es- 
cape, and  for  the  plenty  that  surrounded  them,  in  a 
region  where  the  air  was  pure  and  healthy,  and  the  ani- 
mals innocuous ;  and  this  night  they  slept  in  the  open 
air,  fearless  of  disturbance. 


FOREST    SCENERY.  197 

Next  morning  they  proceeded  on  their  way,  after  the 
boys  had  cut  a  strong  staff  for  each  traveller ;  likening 
themselves  to  a  party  of  pilgrims  with  their  long  crooks. 
Still  the  same  luxuriant  vegetation  lay  before  them, 
and  still  they  continued  the  same  ardudus  toiling  over 
the  soft  yielding  soil,  in  which  every  footstep  was 
buried ;  but  their  stout  staves  and  cheerful  spirits  car- 
ried them  on  for  hours. 

They  continually  saw  ttie  kangaroo  bounding  over 
the  ground,  and  the  active  opossum  running  up  the  tall 
gum-tree,  or  the  pandanus,  and  were  sorely  tempted  to 
pursue  them. 

"But  only  reflect,  boys,"  said  Arthur,  "on  the  im- 
prudence of  attempting  to  chase  or  shoot  these  animals 
now.  It  would  be  impossible  for  us  to  carry  more  than 
our  usual  burdens  over  this  heavy  ground.  Wait  till 
we  arrive  at  our  resting-place  ;  and  in  the  profusion  of 
food  around  us,  I  trust  we  shall  not  want.  But  observe, 
papa,  we  no  longer  see  the  range  of  sandstone  hills  ly- 
ing to  the  east :  we  are  certainly  entering  a  new  region. 
That  ridge  before  us  will  probably  lead  us  from  these 
tedious  marshes.  "We  must  try  to  toil  up  the  ascent 
before  we  rest." 

It  was  really  a  toil,  in  the  heated  atmosphere,  to 
climb  the  bush-encumbered  hills ;  but  on  reaching  the 
summit,  they  were  repaid  by  looking  down  on  a  lovely 
valley. 

It  was  on  a  lower  level  than  that  they  had  left,  dotted 
over  with  green  hills,  and  adorned  with  a  forest-like 
scattering  of  majestic  trees,  beneath  which  the  grass 
was  as  rich  as  that  of  a  cultivated  meadow,  and  enam- 
elled with  brilliant  flowers ;  while  the  scented  jasmine 
blossoms  clung  round  the  taller  trees,  and  filled  the  air 
17* 


198  A   TEMPTATION. 

with  perfume.  Parrots  of  every  bright  color  played  in 
the  sunbeams,  chattering  in  the  most  distracting  man- 
ner ;  while  at  intervals  the  discordance  of  their  harsh 
cries  was  broken  by  the  clear,  bell-like  notes  of  a  musi- 
cal warbler.  Numerous  silver  streams  might  be  seen 
at  a  distance,  threading  the  plains,  all  on  their  way,  Ar- 
thur observed,  to  swell  some  large  river. 

"  Which  we  shall  have  to  cross,  most  likely/'  said 
Hugh ;  "  so,  Jack,  we  must  look  about  for  materials  for 
canoes  again." 

"I  am  almost  afraid  to  suggest  it,"  said  Mr.  May- 
burn  ;  "  but  why  should  we  leave  this  lovely,  tranquil 
valley  ?  Why  should  we  not  erect  a  simple  hut,  and 
dwell  here  in  peace,  abundance,  and  contentment,  with- 
out toil  and  without  care  ?  What  say  you,  Margaret  ?  " 

"  Would  it  not  be  an  idle  and  useless  existence, 
papa  ?  "  answered  she. 

"  With  not  even  wild  beasts  to  hunt,"  added  Gerald. 

"No  books  to  read,  or  horses  to  ride,"  said  Hugh, 
sadly. 

"  Ay,  it  would  be  dowly  enough  a  bit  at  first,"  said 
Wilkins,  "  and  then  them  rogues  would  somehow  make 
us  out,  and  lead  us  a  bonnie  life." 

"  And  it  is  n't  fit,  master,"  said  nurse,  indignantly, 
"  that  decent  women,  let  alone  Miss  Marget,  should  live 
their  lives  among  heathens  without  a  rag  to  their  backs. 
Here  's  poor  Ruth  breaking  her  heart  to  think  of  them 
savages." 

"  I  believe,  papa,"  said  Arthur,  laughing,  "  the  votes 
are  against  your  resolution.  For  my  own  part,  I  can- 
not believe  this  rich  and  well-watered  spot  should  be 
neglected  by  the  natives.  Depend  on  it,  there  are 
tribes  not  far  distant,  that  might  annoy  us  if  we  were 


A    BLACK    BIT.  199 

stationary,  though  I  trust  we  may  not  meet  with  many 
so  ferocious  as  our  last  acquaintances." 

"  I  am  wrong,  my  son,"  replied  Mr.  Mayburn.  "  I 
know  my  own  weakness  of  judgment,  and  you  see  I 
have  grace  to  acknowledge  my  blunder." 

"  We  will  descend  into  the  valley  now,"  said  Arthur, 
"  and  have  a  pleasant  rest  among  this  rich  scenery.  I 
hope  that  in  a  few  days  more  we  may  reach  some  im- 
portant river,  which,  if  we  can  cross,  we  may  at  all 
events  be  satisfied  that  we  have  left  our  old  enemies  be- 
hind us,  though  we  cannot  tell  what  new  ones  we  may 
encounter." 

After  many  days'  pleasant  travelling  over  the  well- 
watered  and  plentiful  plains,  they  passed  over  a  succes- 
sion of  green  ridges,  from  the  highest  of  which  they  had 
a  view  of  a  large  river,  certainly  too  wide  to  be  crossed 
by  Jack's  bark  ferry-boat ;  and  now  speculations  were 
awakened  of  boats,  canoes,  and  easy  voyaging. 

"  I  'in  sure  you  could  make  a  bark  canoe,  Jack,"  said 
Hugh,  "  that  might  be  paddled  well  enough  on  a  fair 
open  river  like  that.  Let  us  push  forward  and  recon- 
noitre our  chances  of  changing  trudging  for  voyaging." 

"  I  'd  have  ye  look  about  ye,"  said  Wilkins,  "  and 
mind  yer  steps.  Yon 's  just  t'  place  for  'em  to  gather. 
There  '11  be  fish,  and  slugs,  and  snakes,  and  all  that  sort 
of  varmint.  Why,  bless  ye,  Jenny,  woman,  ye  need  n't 
make  such  a  face ;  I  've  seen  'em  gobbling  for  hours 
at  worms  and  grubs,  and  then  they  '11  suck  lots  of  stuff 
out  of  them  gum-trees.  But  I  say,  what 's  yon  black 
bit?" 

The  "  black  bit "  was  a  circle  where  a  fire  had  been 
made  not  long  before ;  near  the  scorched  spot  lay  half- 
finished  spears,  headed  with  sharp  hard  stones,  of  which 


200  MAKING   TOOLS. 

some  large  slabs  were  piled  near  the  place,  and  a  fin- 
ished axe  made  from  the  same  flint-like  stone. 

"  I  will  not  take  their  axe,  Mr.  Arthur,"  said  Jack, 
"  because  they  have  manufactured  it,  and  of  course  it  is 
property  like  ;  but  stones  are  nothing  but  stones  all  the 
world  over,  and  free  to  anybody.  So  if  you  '11  wait  I  '11 
sit  down  now  and  try  to  make  an  axe  the  model  of  that, 
and  it  will  be  a  shame  if  I  cannot  improve  on  it." 

He  was  not  denied  the  trial,  and  the  result  was,  that 
Jack's  axe  was  a  capital  tool.  Hugh  had  cut  a  handle 
from  one  tree,  while  Gerald  collected  the  gum  oozing 
from  another  into  a  mussel-shell,  and  Jack  selected  the 
stone,  and  sharpened  the  edge  on  a  block  of  sand- 
stone, for  the  blade.  Then  cutting  a  cleft  in  the  handle, 
he  inserted  and  tied  the  blade  first,  covering  the  joining 
with  gum,  and  finally  placing  it  in  the  sun  to  dry. 
This  success  induced  him  to  make  a  second  axe,  while 
the  whole  party  sat  down  to  watch  the  interesting  work. 

But  the  uneasiness  of  Mr.  Mayburn  compelled  them 
at  length  to  leave  a  spot  which  was  evidently  a  haunt  of 
the  natives.  They  continued  to  walk  toAvards  the  river 
over  rich  undulating  ground  covered  with  soft  grass  and 
the  wild  oats,  the  spring  crop  of  which  was  here  nearly 
ripe,  and  was  eagerly  reaped  to  increase  the  provision 
store.  Then  they  came  on  a  swampy  soil,  which  had 
been  apparently  overflowed  by  the  river  after  the  rains, 
und  which  was  grown  over  by  a  perfect  forest  of  man- 
groves, thickly  peopled  by  mosquitos.  It  was  with 
difficulty  they  could  force  their  way  through  the  trees  to 
the  river,  which  they  judged  to  be  about  three  hundred 
yards  across,  flowing  towards  the  west,  and  certainly  too 
deep  to  be  forded.  High  cliffs  shut  out  all  view  of  the 
country  on  the  opposite  bank ;  and,  much  as  it  would 


THE    GRASS-TREE.  ,201 

have  been  desirable,  Arthur  feared  they  would  not  be 
able  to  cross  it  except  in  canoes. 

"I  think  it  would  be  still  better  to  sail  up  it,'*  said 
Hugh. 

"We  have  no  canoes  ready  for  such  a  purpose," 
answered  Arthur,  "  nor  can  we  yet  begin  to  make  one 
till  our  axes  are  sufficiently  hardened  to  use  with  safety. 
,  I  propose  that  we  should  draw  back  beyond  the  marshy 
ground,  and  follow  up  the  course  of  the  stream  for  one 
day  at  least.  We  can  all  be  at  work  collecting  materials 
for  boats." 

Any  thing  that  gave  them  employment  was  accepta- 
ble to  the  boys,  and  they  scampered  from  one  tree  to 
another  to  examine  the  quality  or  try  to  discover  the 
species.  The  names  they  did  not  know,  but  were  con- 
tent to  distinguish  the  varieties  as  palm,  oak,  ash,  cedar, 
or  box,  as  they  fancied  they  resembled  those  well-known 
trees.  There  were  also  the  various  gum-trees,  the  cab- 
bage-palm, and  a  new  and  interesting  object  to  Mr. 
Mayburn,  which  he  recognized  from  description,  —  the 
grass-tree,  Xanthorrhoea,  arborea,  the  rough  stem  of 
which  was  ten  feet  in  height  and  about  two  feet  in  cir- 
cumference, and  which  terminated  in  a  palm-tree  form, 
with  a  cluster  of  long  grass-like  foliage  drooping  grace- 
fully; while  from  the  midst  of  the  cluster  sprang  a 
single  stamen  of  ten  feet  in  height. 

Mingled  with  the  loftier  trees  was  a  sort  of  shrub, 
called  by  Wilkins  the  Tea  Shrub,  the  leaves  of  which, 
he  told  them,  were  used  in  the  colony  as  tea  "  by  them 
as  liked  such  wishwash ; "  and  as  Jenny  and  Ruth  de- 
clared that  they  especially  did  like  this  "wishwash," 
they  gathered  a  quantity  of  the  leaves  to  make  the  ex- 
periment of  its  virtues. 


202  THE    TEA-SHRUB. 

"  It  certainly  belongs  to  a  family  of  plants,"  said  Mr 
Mayburn,  "  which  are  all-important  to  the  comfort  and 
health  of  man  ;  and  though  I  do  not  know  the  species, 
I  should  judge  that  an  infusion  of  these  leaves  would 
produce  a  wholesome,  and  probably  an  agreeable,  bever- 
age. The  delicate  white  flowers  are  not  unlike  those 
of  the  tea-plant,  certainly.  But  pray,  nurse,  do  wot 
load  yourself  with  too  great  a  burden  of  the  leaves,  for 
the  shrub  seems  abundant,  and  we  have  already  too 
much  to  carry  in  this  burning  climate." 


CHAPTER   XV. 

The  Tea-Shrub.  —  Another  Canoe.  —  A  Skirmish  *ith  the  Natives. 
—  Wounded  Heroes.  —  An  Attempt  at  Voyaging.  —  A  Field  of 
Battle. —  The  Widowed  Jin.  —  Wilkins's  Sorrows.— Baldabella 
in  Society.  —  The  Voyage  resumed. 

"WHEN  are  we  to  dine — or  sup,  rather  —  comman- 
der ?  "  said  Hugh  ;  "  I  am  so  famished,  that  I  could  eat 
one  of  those  noisy  cockatoos  half-cooked,  and  Margaret 
looks  very  pale  and  weary." 

"  We  must  try  to  reach  one  of  those  green  hills  be- 
fore us,"  said  Arthur  ;  "  we  shall  there  be  pretty  cer- 
tain to  meet  with  some  cave  or  hollow,  where  we  can  at 
least,  stow  our  luggage  ;  and  then  our  cares  and  our 
sleep  will  be  lighter  ;  and  as  we  go  along,  we  will  plun- 
der some  nests,  that  Margaret  may  have  eggs  for  her 
supper." 

They  took  as  many  eggs  and  young  birds  as  they 
required,  and  went  on  till  they  found,  among  the  hills, 
a  hollow,  capacious  enough  for  a  night's  lodging,  and 
here  they  made  a  fire  to  cook  the  birds  and  to  boil  the 
tea  in  a  large  mussel-shell.  Ruth  bemoaned  again  her 
awkwardness  in  breaking  the  tea-cups  ;  for  now  they 
had  to  sip  the  infusion  of  leaves  from  cockle-shells. 
Wilkins  declined  the  luxury  ;  but  the  rest  enjoyed  it, 
and  declared  that  it  not  only  had  the  flavor  of  tea,  but 
even  of  tea  with  sugar,  which  was  an  inestimable  advan- 
tage. 

"  The  plant  is  certainly  saccharine,"  pronounced  Mr. 
Mayburn. 

(203) 


204  THE    LUXURY  OP   TEA. 

"  If  it  had  only  been  lacteal  too,"  said  Hugh,  "  we 
might  have  had  a  perfect  cup  of  tea  ;  but,  papa,  don 't 
you  think  it  has  a  little  of  the  aroma  of  the  camomile 
tea  with  which  nurse  used  to  vex  us  after  the  Christmas 
feasts?" 

"  It  is  certainly  not  the  genuine  tea,"  answered  Mr. 
Mayburn,  "  the  peculiar  Thea  of  China  ;  but,  doubt- 
less, custom,  would  reconcile  us  to  its  peculiar  flavor. 
We  are  surrounded  with  blessings,  my  children  ;  and, 
above  all,  have  reason  to  be  thankful  for  this  sweet 
tranquillity." 

But,  just  as  he  spoke,  a  distant  coo-ee  from  the  woods 
proclaimed  that  they  were  not  out  of  the  reach  of  the 
usual  cares  of  life ;  and  they  hastily  extinguished  the 
fire  and  retired  into  the  rocky  shelter,  trusting  that  the 
darkness  would  prevent  any  discovery. 

As  soon  as  the  daylight  permitted  him,  Jack  com- 
menced to  make  the  canoes,  which  the  dangerous  vicin- 
ity of  the  natives  rendered  immediately  necessary.  He 
roused  his  young  masters,  and  Hugh  and  Gerald  read- 
ily agreed  to  assist  him  ;  while  Arthur  made  his  way 
through  the  marsh  to  the  side  of  the  river,  to  select  a 
convenient  place  for  crossing  it. 

But  he  could  see  no  possibility  of  landing  on  the  op- 
posite side,  which  was  guarded  by  perpendicular  cliffs ; 
and  with  much  uneasiness  he  proceeded  up  the  river  in 
hopes  of  seeing  an  opening,  to  which  they  might  ven- 
ture to  cross.  But  after  walking  pome  distance,  he 
thought  it  best  to  return  to  the  family,  to  propose  that 
they  should  take  a  hasty  breakfast,  and  then  move  at 
once  higher  up  the  -river,  with  watchfulness  and  cau- 
tion, till  they  found  the  south  banks  more  favorable 
for  their  attempt.  There  was  no  time  to  prepare  tea, 


THE    BANKS    OF    THE    RIVER.  205 

to  the  disappointment  of  the  women  :  cold  pheasant  and 
cockatoo  formed  the  breakfast.  Then  every  one  shoul- 
dered his  burden,  and  the  half-finished  canoe  was  car- 
ried off,  to  be  completed  under  more  favorable  circum- 
stances. 

They  had  walked  without  interruption  for  about  two 
miles,  when  Margaret  observed  to  her  brother  Arthur, 
that  an  opening  in  the  mangrove  belt,  that  ran  along 
the  banks  of  the  river,  would  allow  them  to  pass 
through,  arid  afford  them  a  safer  and  more  advanta- 
geous track  than  their  present  exposed  road.  They 
could  then  select  at  once  a  shallow  ford,  or  a  flat 
strand,  on  the  opposite  banks,  to  facilitate  their  cross- 
ing. 

"  Let  us  hasten  over  the  swamp,"  said  she,  "  and  se- 
cure this  important  advantage.  Dear  papa  is  in  con- 
tinual alarm  on  these  open  plains,  and  I  am  quite  losing 
my  usual  courage." 

But  as  they  drew  near  the  opening  to  the  water,  Ar- 
thur, always  thoughtful,  felt  a  distrust  of  this  singular 
interruption  of  the  close  entangled  belt  of  the  river. 
"  See  here,  Margaret,"  said  he.  "  Beneath  the  roots  of 
this  mangrove  you  have  a  perfect  leafy  arbor,  with 
walls  of  brilliant  and  fragrant  creepers.  In  this  pleas- 
ant bower  I  propose  that  we  should  leave  you  and  your 
maidens,  my  father,  and  all  our  property,  while  I  lead 
my  brave  little  band  forward  to  reconnoitre  before  we 
proceed  farther." 

The  tears  stood  in  the  eyes  of  the  affectionate  sis- 
ter as  she  submitted  to  this  prudent  arrangement,  and 
saw  her  dearly-loved  brothers  and  their  faithful  attend- 
ants prepare  to  set  out  on  this  service  of  danger. 

"  You  can  keep  Ruth  tied  to  one  of  these  root  col- 
18 


206  A   RECONNOISSANCE. 

umns,"  said  Gerald,  "  and  gag  her  if  she  ope:  s  her 
mouth  for  a  scream."  Then  making  a  grimace  at  the 
trembling  girl,  the  laughing  youth  followed  his  friends. 

"  Gerald  is  not  in  earnest,  my  poor  girl,"  said  Mr. 
Mayburn  ;  "but  it  is  nevertheless  important — nay,  it 
is  even  imperative  —  that  you  should  preserve  absolute 
silence  and  immobility." 

"That  is,  Ruth,"  said  Margaret,  interpreting  the 
order,  "  you  must  sit  quite  still  and  hold  your  tongue, 
whatever  may  happen." 

The  little  band  marched  on  till  they  came  to  the 
opening  of  the  road,  and  they  now  saw  that  the  trees 
had  been  burned  down,  and  the  space  purposely 
cleared.  This  was  a  startling  sight,  and  before  they 
could  determine  whether  they  should  retreat  or  go  for- 
ward, two  natives  appeared,  approaching  from  the 
river-side,  who  no  sooner  set  eyes  on  the  formidable 
strangers,  than  they  turned  back  hastily,  and  fled  out 
of  sight. 

"  Let  us  be  prepared  for  defence,"  said  Arthur ; 
"  but,  if  possible,  we  will  meet  them  amicably.  "We 
will  stand  abreast  in  a  line,  and  look  as  bold  as  we 
can." 

Loud  yells  were  now  heard,  and  soon  a  number  of 
men  confronted  the  small  band,  armed,  as  usual,  with 
spears  and  throwing-sticks.  They  wer^  apparently 
much  excited,  though  not  painted  for  war.  Arthur  held 
out  a  green  bough,  and  made  friendly  signs  to  them, 
continuing  slowly  to  approach  with  his  companions. 
For  a  minute  or  two  the  savages  seemed  struck  dumb 
and  motionless  with  astonishment ;  then  at  once,  they 
resumed  their  yells,  leaping  and  whirling  their  spears 
in  a  threatening  manner. 


A    SKIRMISH.  207 

Still  undeterred  in  their  wish  for  peace,  the  bold 
youths  walked  forward  till  a  spear  flew  amongst  them 
and  wounded  Wilkins  in  the  shoulder ;  who  then  rushed 
forward,  uttering  a  loud  execration,  and,  with  a  huge 
club  he  carried,  struck  the  man  who  had  thrown  the 
spear  senseless  to  the  ground.  With  frightful  cries  the 
natives  flung  more  spears,  while  two  of  them  seized 
Wilkins ;  but  he  shook  them  off,  as  if  they  had  been 
infants,  and  a  volley  of  arrows  from  his  friends  directed 
the  attention  of  the  assailants  from  him;  for  every 
arrow  had  done  execution.  Wilkins  then  drew  back 
into  the  ranks  and  cried  out,  "  The  rifle,  sir !  the  rifle  I 
say,  or  we  're  all  dead  men ! " 

There  could  indeed  be  no  hesitation  now,  and  Arthur 
fired  one  of  his  barrels,  intending  the  charge  to  pass 
over  the  heads  of  the  enemy ;  but  one  tall  savage,  who 
was  leaping  at  the  moment,  received  the  shot  in  his 
cheek  and  head,  and  fell  back  into  the  arms  of  his  com- 
panions, who  bore  him  off  with  dismal  lamentations,  and 
the  rest  followed  hastily,  carrying  away  the  senseless 
body  of  the  man  struck  down  by  Wilkins. 

They  saw  the  savages  force  their  way  among  the 
mangroves  higher  up  the  river,  and  flee  to  the  hills  at 
the  north ;  and,  confident  that  they  were  at  present  in 
safety,  Arthur  anxiously  reviewed  his  forces.  Wilkins 
looked  very  pale,  and  the  spear  was  still  sticking  in  his 
shoulder.  Hugh  was  stretching  out  a  bloody  hand, 
grazed  somewhat  severely,  while  Gerald  was  waving 
triumphantly  a  large  sombrero  hat,  woven  of  rushes  by 
Margaret,  and  which  now  bore  the  noble  crest  of  a 
spear  which  had  pierced,  and  carried  it  from  his  head, 
without  injuring  him. 

"Sure,  and  won't  the  Lady   Margaret   bestow  her 


208  THE    WOUNDED. 

glove  on  me,"  cried  the  wild  boy,  "  when  she  sees  the 
honors  I  have  brought  away  upon  my  knightly  hel- 
met?" 

"It's  been  a  close  shave,  young  fellow,"  grumbled 
Wilkins,  as  he  succeeded  with  a  groan,  in  drawing  out 
the  spear,  which  was  followed  by  such  a  flow  of  blood, 
that  Arthur  thought  it  expedient  to  send  the  two  boys 
with  him  to  Margaret,  that  his  wound  might  be  dressed; 
while  Jack  and  he  hastily  surveyed  the  field  for  which 
the  party  had  fought  and  bled. 

A  wide  cleared  space,  sloping  gradually  to  the  river, 
was  covered  with  various  articles  hastily  abandoned. 
Clubs,  boomerangs,  heaps  of  wild  oats,  with  shells  of 
the  fresh-water  mussel,  and  bones  of  fish.  Large  sheets 
of  bark  were  placed  round  the  spot,  lined  with  grass, 
and  apparently  used  as  beds.  On  these  Jack  cast  a 
longing  eye  and  said,  "  Bark  is  cheap  enough  for  them 
that  have  arms  and  knives,  Mr.  Arthur,  and  these  come 
quite  convenient  for  our  boats  just  now ;  and  no  harm 
at  all,  I  think." 

"  Well,  Jack,"  answered  Arthur,  "  I  think  my  father's 
scruples  would  not  oppose  such  an  appropriation.  But 
can  we  cross  at  once  ?  There  seems  a  tolerable  land- 
ing-place nearly  opposite." 

"We  must  get  the  canoes  ready  for  launching  as  fast 
as  we  can,"  replied  Jack  ;  "  for  we  cannot  do  better 
than  cross,  to  get  out  of  the  way  of  those  fellows,  who 
will  be  sure  to  come  back  for  their  things.  I  '11  just 
borrow  this  handy  axe  a  bit :  we  can  leave  it  behind  us 
when  we  go." 

Jack  did  not  lose  time ;  two  of  the  bark  beds  vere 
nearly  transformed  into  canoes  by  the  time  that  Arthur 
had  gone  to  the  mangrove  bower  and  brought  up  all 


DIVISION    OF    LABOK.  209 

the  party,  with  the  unfinished  canoe  and  the  lug- 
gage. 

Wilkins  had  his  arm  in  a  sling ;  but,  though  he  cer- 
tainly was  suffering  much,  he  made  light  of  his  wound, 
and  Hugh  had  his  hand  bound  up. 

"  This  is  a  bad  job,  Mr.  Arthur,  for  two  to  be  laid  off 
work  when  we  're  so  sharp  set,"  said  Wilkins.  "  I  say, 
master,  ye  '11  be  forced  to  lend  a  hand,"  addressing  Mr. 
Mayburn. 

"  My  good  man,"  replied  he,  "  I  am  willing  to  under- 
take any  labor  suited  to  my  capacity ;  but  I  fear  that  I 
am  but  an  indifferent  mechanic." 

Hugh  and  Gerald  laughed  heartily  at  the  idea  of 
papa  with  a  hammer  or  an  axe  in  his  hand. 

"  Nay,  nay,  master,"  continued  Wilkins,  "  ye  '11  turn 
out  a  poor  hand  wi'  yer  tools,  I  reckon ;  but  we  '11  learn 
ye  to  paddle  these  floats.  I'se  be  fit  for  a  bit  work, 
'cause,  ye  see,  I  've  gettin  my  right  arm ;  but  that  poor 
lad 's  quite  laid  off  wi'  his  right  hand  torn.  Gather  up 
some  of  them  bits  of  bark  to  make  paddles,  Master 
Gerald." 

"  But  no  spears  or  weapons,  Gerald,"  added  Mr. 
Mayburn.  "  We  must  not  carry  off  the  property  of 
these  men,  however  inimical  they  are  to  us." 

"  Why,  begging  yer  pardon,  master,"  replied  Wilkins  ; 
"  there 's  them  there  spears  as  was  stuck  into  us,  we  'se 
surelie  keep.  Ye  could  n't  expect  on  us  to  send  them 
things  as  rove  our  flesh  off  our  bones  back  to  'em  wi' 
our  compliments  and  we  were  obliged  to  'em." 

"  That  would  certainly  be  an  excess  of  honesty,"  said 
Arthur ;  "  and  I  think  with  you,  Wilkins,  that  we  are 
entitled  to  the  three  spears  that  injured  us.  For  oars 
and  paddles  we  have  abundance  of  materials ;  I  only 


210  CANOES    ON    THE    RIVER. 

grieve  that  we  have  so  few  hands ;  but  those  are  able 
and  willing  to  work ;  so  let  us  hasten  to  get  ready  for 
the  water." 

Two  hours  elapsed,  however,  before  the  three  sound 
workmen  were  able  to  get  all  ready  for  the  launch.  In 
the  mean  time  Wilkins  and  Hugh  had  searched  for  the 
nests  of  the  water-fowl,  and  taken  a  supply  of  young 
birds,  which  the  women  had  roasted  for  present  and  fu- 
ture provisions. 

Finally,  three  bark  canoes  were  launched,  each  con- 
taining three  persons,  and  the  river  was  crossed  in  safety. 
Finding  they  could  manage  their  little  barks  satisfacto- 
rily, they  then  agreed  to  row  up  the  river  as  long  as  it 
was  practicable,  which  would,  at  all  events,  be  less  la- 
borious than  walking  with  heavy  burdens. 

Without  any  alarms,  except  from  seeing  the  smoke  of 
distant  fires  on  the  shore  they  had  left,  they  had  passed 
through  beautiful  and  diversified  scenery  for  many  miles, 
before  the  rapid  close  of  the  day  warned  them  to  land ; 
and  under  an  overhanging  cliff  on  the  south  bank  of  the 
river,  they  drew  their  canoes  on  shore,  and  encamped 
for  the  night. 

Satisfied  with  their  pleasant  and  expeditious  mode  of 
travelling,  they  resumed  their  route  next  morning,  and 
with  the  necessary  interruptions  of  landing  for  supplies 
of  the  plentiful  food  that  surrounded  them,  and  for  need- 
ful rest,  they  continued  for  many  days  to  voyage  on  the 
same  broad  river ;  and  though  they  occasionally  saw 
smoke  rising  on  the  north  side,  they  never  met  with 
any  of  the  natives. 

But  at  length  this  desirable  tranquillity  was  dis- 
turbed ;  for  one  day  they  were  alarmed  by  sounds  which 
they  recognized  as  the  angry  yells  of  the  savages  in 


THE    FIELD    OF    BATTLE.  211 

their  fury,  and  they  knew  some  fearful  contention  was 
taking  place.  The  sounds  proceeded  from  the  south 
shore,  and  the  river  being  at  least  two  hundred  yards 
broad  at  this  part,  they  rowed  to  the  north  bank,  in  or- 
der to  place  a  wide  barrier  between  themselves  and  the 
contending  savages. 

Loud  and  louder  grew  the  yells  and  cries  when  they 
drew  near  the  scene  of  action,  and  curiosity  induced 
them  to  rest  on  their  oars,  though  they  could  not  see 
the  combat ;  but  gradually  the  sounds  died  away,  and 
it  was  plain  the  contending  parties  had  shifted  their 
field  of  battle. 

After  all  had  been  quiet  for  some  time,  the  boys 
begged  earnestly  that  they  might  be  allowed  to  land 
and  view  the  scene  from  whence  these  discordant  cries 
arose ;  and,  at  last,  leaving  Jack,  Hugh,  and  Mr.  May- 
burn  in  charge  of  the  canoes,  Arthur  with  Gerald  and 
Wilkins  stepped  on  shore,  and  making  their  way  through 
the  jungle,  came  on  a  widely-spread,  woody  country, 
and  saw,  at  no  great  distance,  the  scattered  spears  and 
clubs,  which  indicated  that  they  were  really  upon  the 
field  of  battle. 

Cautiously  drawing  near,  they  were  shocked  to  meet 
with  the  bodies  of  native  men,  transfixed  by  spears  or 
destroyed  by  clubs.  They  gazed  with  deep  distress 
upon  this  sad  sight,  and  were  preparing  to  return,  when 
they  were  startled  by  hearing  a  low  sobbing  sound,  fol- 
lowed by  a  shrill  faint  cry,  and  searching  round  among 
the  low  bushes,  they  found  a  native  woman  mourning 
over  the  body  of  one  of  the  slain,  while  clinging  to  her 
was  a  child  about  four  years  old.  They  approached 
hastily ;  but  no  sooner  did  the  woman  see  them,  than 
she  caught  up  her  child,  and  would  have  fled,  but  Wil- 


212  THE    MOURNING    WIDOW. 

kins  caught  her  arm,  and  pointing  to  the  dead  bod/, 
spoke  a  few  words  to  her  in  a  jargon  he  had  acquired 
during  his  residence  in  the  colony,  which  she  seemed  to 
understand,  for  she  replied  by  some  words  in  a  low, 
musical  voice. 

"It's  the  poor  fellow's  jin,  ye  see,"  said  he. 

"  His  jin  !  "  said  Gerald,  laughing.  "  What  is  a  jin, 
Wilkins?" 

"  Why,  all  one  as  we  should  say  his  wife,"  replied 
Wilkins ;  "  and  there 's  nought  to  laugh  at,  Master  Ger- 
ald, for  she  seems,  poor  body !  like  to  die  herseP.  I  'se 
a  bad  hand  at  talking  in  their  way ;  ye  see  its  mair  like 
a  bird  chirruping  nor  our  folks  rough  talk.  My  big 
tongue  cannot  frame  to  sing  out  like  a  blackbird.  Now 
there  was  Peter " 

The  woman  uttered  a  scream  of  terror  as  Wilkins 
pronounced  the  name,  and  looking  wildly  round,  she 
clasped  the  child,  repeating  distinctly,  in  accents  of  fear, 
"Peter!  Peter!" 

"  She  knows  the  rogue,  I  '11  be  bound  ! "  exclaimed 
Wilkins,  endeavoring  by  words  and  signs  to  obtain 
some  information  from  her. 

The  woman  pointed  to  the  bleeding  body  at  her  feet, 
made  a  sign  of  stabbing,  and  again  uttered  in  a  vindic- 
tive tone,  "  Peter  ! "  And  on  examining  the  wounds  of 
the  corpse,  Wilkins  pointed  out  to  Arthur  that  they 
were  not  inflicted  by  the  spear ;  for  the  man  had  been 
evidently  stabbed  to  the  heart  by  a  sharp  long-bladed 
weapon. 

"  That 's  been  Peter's  knife,  I  'd  swear,"  said  he, 
"  and  the  sooner  we  take  off,  the  better,  for  he 's  an 
ugly  neighbor ;  —  poor  body !  she  may  well  have  a 
scared  look ! " 


A    CASE    OF    MISERY.  213 

As  they  turned  away,  the  woman,  it  appeared,  had 
read  pity  in  their  eyes,  for  she  put  her  child  into  the 
hands  of  Arthur,  and  pointing  towards  the  west,  again 
murmured  the  name  of  Peter,  and  signified  that  he 
would  return  to  murder  her  child  and  herself.  Then 
lying  down  by  the  body  of  her  husband,  she  closed  her 
eyes,  indicating  that  she  must  die  there. 

"What  are  we  to  do,  Mr.  Arthur?"  said  Wilkins, 
with  tears  on  his  rough  cheeks  ;  "  my  heart  just  warks 
for  her.  But  ye  see  —  maybe  as  how  master  and  miss 
would  n't  be  for  havin'  such  an  a  half  dementet,  ondecent 
body  amang  'em.  What  are  we  to  do?  Will  ye  just 
say  ?  Sure  as  we  're  here,  if  we  leave  her,  that  rascal 
will  kill  her ;  for  ye  see  this  dead  fellow,  he  's  a  big  'un, 
and  likely  he  'd  been  again  Peter,  for  he  'd  be  like  a 
head  amang  'em." 

"  Oh,  let  us  take  both  the  woman  and  her  child,"  said 
Gerald.  "  I  will  run  forward  to  carry  the  child  to  Mar- 
garet and  bring  back  some  clothes  for  the  unhappy 
mourner  ; "  and  without  waiting  for  any  sanction  to  his 
proceedings,  he  set  off  to  the  canoes  with  his  prize. 
The  alarmed  woman  started  up,  and  looked  anxiously 
after  her  child ;  but  Wilkins  made  her  understand  she 
should  also  follow  it,  and  she  appeared  satisfied.  It  was 
not  long  before  O'Brien  returned,  accompanied  by 
Jenny,  who  brought  a  loose  garment  for  the  astonished 
woman,  on  whose  scanty  toilet  the  neat  old  woman 
looked  with  unqualified  disapprobation,  as  she  assisted 
in  arraying  her  more  consistently  with  civilized  cus- 
toms ;  or,  as  she  termed  it,  "  made  her  decent." 

Somewhat  uncertain  of  the  prudence  of  making  this 
addition  to  their  party,  Arthur  led  the  way  to  the  boats, 
determined  to  consult  his  father  and  Margaret  before 


214  THE    GRATEFUL    SAVAGE. 

the  matter  was  determined.  When  the  poor  widow 
saw  her  child,  dressed  in  a  temporary  costume  of  silk 
handkerchiefs,  and  holding  Margaret's  hand,  in  great 
contentment,  her  eyes  glistened  with  pleasure,  and  going 
up  to  Mr.  Mayburn  and  Margaret,  she  threw  herself 
down  on  the  strand,  with  her  face  to  the  ground,  in  an 
attitude  of  submission  to  her  protectors. 

"  Poor  creature,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn  ;  "  can  we  not 
restore  her  to  her  people,  Wilkins  ?  You  know  some- 
thing of  her  language  —  inquire  her  wishes." 

"  I  can  partly  make  out  what  she  says,  master,"  an- 
swered he  ;  "  but  I  frame  badly  in  hitting  on  them  sing- 
song queer  words.  I  take  it,  all  her  friends  have  been 
killed  right  away,  and  she  wants  to  stay  wi'  us." 

"  She  's  not  a  fit  body  to  be  company  to  Miss  Mar- 
get,"  said  nurse.  "  You  're  like  to  see  that  yourself, 
Wilkins." 

"  And  if  I  did  see  that,  Mrs.  Jenny,"  answered  Wil- 
kins, in  a  sharp  tone,  "  and  I  can't  say  I  did  see 't,  it 's 
wiser  heads  nor  yours  and  mine  as  ought  to  settle  that. 
They  say  God  made  us  all  akin,  and  it 's,  maybe,  true ; 
but  there 's  a  strange  deal  of  difference  among  us,  now- 
adays, I  consate.  Now,  I  'd  not  like  to  say  that  mon- 
key-like, dark-avised  poor  creater  were  born  sister  to 
my  bonnie  Susan  Raine,  as  I  ought  to  have  wed,  Mrs. 
Jenny,  if  I  had  n't  turned  out  a  graceless." 

"  It  is  strange,  Wilkins,"  said  Margaret,  "  that  there 
was  a  fine,  well-behaved  young  woman,  named  Susan 
Raine,  came  over  with  us  in  the  Amoor.  She  was 
with  one  of  the  emigrant  families  that  Mr.  Deverell 
brought  over  from  England." 

"  It 's  now  better  nor  two  years  sin*  I  got  a  letter 
wrote  to  her,  Miss,"  said  Wilkins,  greatly  moved ; 


SUSAN    RAINE.  215 

"  but,  like  me,  ye  see,  she 's  no  scholar,  and  I  heared 
nought  from  her,  and  I  judged  she'd  wed  another. 
Then  I  cared  nought  what  came  on  me  ;  and  I  con- 
sorted wi'  Black  Peter,  and  such  chaps,  and  took  any 
job  of  work  to  get  away  from  yon  gallows  hole,  when  I 
found  as  how  she  'd  not  look  at  me.  What  like  was  she 
ye  talked  on,  Miss  ?  " 

"  She  was  a  fair,  blue-eyed  woman,"  answered  Mar- 
garet, "  with  yellow  hair,  and  a  bright  color  ;  and  she 
spoke  with  a  north-country  accent." 

"  God  forgive  me  all  my  sins,  and  bring  me  to  that 
lass,"  said  Wilkins,  "for  I'se  clear  on't,  it  was  just  my 
Sue.  Mind  ye  tie  me  up,  Mr.  Arthur,  if  that  bad  fel- 
low, Black  Peter,  comes  nigh  us  ;  I  ken  he  '11  want  to 
nab  me,  and  make  a  rogue  on  me  again." 

"You  must  ask  God  to  give  you  strength  to  resist 
the  temptations  of  such  a  wretch,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn, 
"  and  your  prayers  will  be  heard.  A  great  and  good 
man  has  said  of  prayer,  that  it  is 

1  A  stream,  which  from  the  fountain  of  the  heart 
Issuing,  however  feebly,  nowhere  flows 
Without  access  of  unexpected  strength.'  " 

"  Ay,  it  seems  a  grand  hymn,"  answered  Wilkins  ; 
"  but  I  mind  short  prayers  best,  and  I  'se  try,  master,  to 
stick  to  'em ;  for  ye  ken  I'se  but  a  soft  good-to-nought. 
But  it  may  please  God  to  make  summut  out  on  me 
yet ;  and  wi'  my  own  will,  I'se  niver  leave  ye." 

The  question  of  admitting  the  unfortunate  woman 
among  them  was  soon  decided.  She  crouched  down  in 
the  stern  of  one  of  the  canoes,  holding  the  child  on  her 
lap  ;  and  the  river  being  fortunately  very  smooth,  they 
were  enabled,  though  much  crowded,  to  row  off  with 


216  AN    ADDITION    TO    THE    PARTY. 

the  additional  weight,  being  anxious  to  leave  the  spot 
before  the  natives  should  return  to  collect  their  spears. 
Besides,  from  the  woman's  words  and  signs  they  com- 
prehended that  the  victorious  combatants  would  come 
back  to  take  her  life  and  that  of  her  child. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

The  Mother  and  Child.  —  The  Interior  of  the  Country.  —  Another 
Cataract.  —  The  Pilgrim  Troop.  —  The  Difficult  Ascent.— The 
Frilled  Lizard.  — The  Mountain-range.— The  Kangaroo-chase. 
The  Pass  of  Erin. 

BUT  it  was  not  till  they  had  left  the  bloody  field 
many  miles  behind  them  that  the  woman  recovered  so 
far  from  her  fear  and  stupefaction  as  to  be  able,  by 
signs  and  half-understood  words,  to  indicate  to  them 
that  she  was  friendless  and  homeless  ;  and  that  Peter 
would  kill  her,  the  last  of  her  family  ;  and  from  the  re- 
port of  Wilkins,  and  other  sources  of  information,  Mr. 
Mayburn  concluded  that  it  was  the  custom  of  these 
northern  people  to  live  in  families,  or  clans,  rather  than 
in  tribes  of  many,  one  man  being  the  head  of  the  house, 
if  we  may  so  speak  of  those  who  rarely  have  a  house  ; 
but  who  live,  like  the  beasts  of  the  field,  in  the  open 
air,  unless  driven  by  the  rains  to  take  shelter  in  caves. 

From  the  woman  they  learnt  that  her  name  was  Bal- 
dubella,  and  that  of  her  child  was  Nakinna.  She  was 
young,  and  her  features  were  not  unpleasant ;  her  eyes 
were  brilliant,  and  her  voice  soft  and  musical ;  nor  was 
she  disfigured  in  any  way,  except  that  through  the  gris- 
tle of  her  nose  she  wore  a  fish-bone.  The  only  gar- 
ment she  wore  when  she  was  discovered,  was  a  short 
cloak  of  the  skins  of  opossums,  sewed  neatly  together 
and  pinned  round  her  neck  with  a  pointed  bone.  When 
they  drew  the  canoes  ashore  at  the  close  of  the  day,  on 
a  narrow  strand,  Baldabella  looked  with  wonder  on 

19  (217) 


218  BALDABELLA'S  FOOD. 

the  arrangements  made  for  the  night,  and  the  process  of 
broiling  birds  and  roasting  eggs  at  the  fire,  and  drew 
away  when  invited  to  partake  of  the  strangely-cooked 
food.  Then  she  plunged  her  fingers  into  the  mud  at  the 
edge  of  the  water,  and  soon  went  up  to  Margaret,  and 
put  into  her  hand  some  small  gray  reptiles  resembling 
slugs.  Margaret  shrank  from  the  feast,  shaking  her 
head ;  but  the  woman  put  one  into  her  own  mouth,  and 
swallowed  it  living  with  great  relish,  crammed  one  into 
the  mouth  of  the  child,  and  then  returned  to  hunt  for 
more. 

Jenny  held  up  her  hands  to  express  her  abhorrence  ; 
Ruth  stared  at  the  woman  with  terror,  evidently  looking 
on  her  as  a  kind  of  sorceress ;  and  O'Brien  laughed,  as 
he  said,  "  Well,  nurse,  you  need  not  be  so  much  dis- 
gusted ;  I  dare  say  these  snails  taste  as  well  as  the  ugly 
oysters  which  we  are  cannibals  enough  to  swallow 
alive." 

"  Oysters,  Master  Gerald,"  answered  nurse,  reprov- 
ingly, "  are  eat  by  decent  Christian  people ;  and  I  see  no 
harm  in  them,  specially  with  pepper  and  vinegar ;  but 
these  things  are  varmint.  Our  ducks  in  England  would 
hardly  touch  them." 

"  A  duck  is  not  a  fastidious  feeder,  nurse,"  said  Mar- 
garet, "and  I  would  not  answer  for  its  nicety  in  this 
matter.  But  this  poor  stranger  prefers  the  food  she 
has  been  accustomed  to,  and  we  have  no  right  to  scoff 
at  her  taste.  If  she  remain  with  us,  no  doubt,  in  time, 
she  will  conform  to  our  habits." 

For  many  days  longer  they  continued  their  uninter- 
rupted voyage  up  the  river,  the  widow  becoming  daily 
more  at  home  with  her  protectors.  Margaret  clothed 
her  in  one  of  her  old  dresses,  with  which  she  was  much 


NAKINNA.  219 

delighted,  and  in  other  respects  she  began  to  adopt  the 
customs  of  her  strange  protectors.  She  voluntarily  dis- 
carded her  nose  ornament ;  she  bathed  herself  and  her 
child  daily ;  she  at  length  ate  the  same  food,  and  imi- 
tated the  manners  of  her  friends. 

Margaret  made  light  dresses  for  the  little  Nakinna, 
who  rapidly  caught  the  English  names  for  the  objects 
around  her,  and  from  her  the  mother  learnt  many 
words.  But  it  was  with  deep  concern  that  Mr.  May- 
burn  saw  the  perfect  indifference  with  which  Baldabella 
regarded  the  religious  worship  of  the  family.  She 
looked  at  first  much  astonished  to  see  men  and  women 
kneel  down,  and  to  hear  the  solemn  prayers  pronounced 
by  Mr.  Mayburn ;  but  she  soon  turned  carelessly  away 
to  dig  for  worms,  or  to  collect  sticks  for  the  fire. 

Not  so  the  little  Nakinna;  for,  after  observing  the 
devotions  two  or  three  times,  she  walked  up  to  Marga- 
ret, knelt  down  by  her,  lifted  up  her  little  hands,  and 
seemed  to  listen  with  interest,  though  she  could  not  yet 
understand.  This  act  of  docility  and  obedience  was 
very  gratifying  to  her  kind  instructress,  who  anxiously 
wished  for  the  time  when  a  mutual  understanding  might 
render  it  possible  to  communicate  to  these  heathens  a 
knowledge  of  the  truth. 

"  Can  it  be  possible,  Wilkins,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn, 
"  that  these  wretched  natives  are  so  lost  as  not  even  to 
acknowledge  a  Supreme  Being!  not  even  to  'see  God 
in  clouds,  and  hear  Him  in  the  wind ! '  not  to  feel  that 
there  must  be  a  spiritual  Ruler  of  the  universe  ?  " 

"  Why,  to  my  fancy,  master,"  answered  Wilkins, 
"  t'  men  folks  is  n't  altogether  dull  chaps ;  but  them 
poor  jins  just  get  all  their  sense  knocked  out  on  their 
heads.  Poor  bodies  1  they  're  no  better  off  nor  dogs 


220  RAPIDS    AND    ROCKS. 

nor  asses.  They  work  fra'  morn  to  night,  and  hug 
heavy  loads,  and  get  kicks  and  short  allowance  for  their 
pains." 

There  was  a  crushed,  subdued  Jook  about  the  woman 
that  rendered  Wilkins's  assertion  not  improbable ;  but 
Margaret  hoped  that,  by  kind  treatment,  the  dormant 
intellect  of  the  native  might  be  developed. 

At  length  the  river  became  more  difficult  of  naviga- 
tion, the  stream  more  rapid,  and  encumbered  with  fallen 
rocks,  while  rapids  and  falls  compelled  them  to  land 
continually  among  thick  jungles,  or  on  the  narrow  strand 
below  precipitous  cliffs.  A  mountain  range  was  now 
visible  before  them,  and  they  concluded  that  they  must 
soon  reach  the  source  of  the  friendly  river,  when  they 
should  have  to  abandon  the  canoes  ibr  a  less  safe  and 
convenient  mode  of  travelling. 

"  We  cannot  stand  walking  again,"  said  Gerald. 
"  Could 'nt  we  carry  the  canoes  forward  awhile?  and 
perhaps  we  might  have  the  luck  to  fall  in  with  another 
river.  What  a  grand  thing  it  would  be  if  we  could 
find  one  flowing  to  the  east  or  the  south,  that  we 
might  run  easily  down  the  stream  without  any  hard 
work." 

"  That  is  not  very  probable,  Gerald,"  said  Arthur, 
"  when  we  are  yet  so  far  from  the  central  part  —  what 
we  may  strictly  term  the  interior  of  the  country.  But 
we  will  certainly  spare  ourselves  the  labor  of  carrying 
away  our  canoes  when  we  leave  the  water ;  for  there 
can  be  no  difficulty,  in  such  a  richly-wooded  region,  in 
procuring  materials  for  making  canoes,  if  we  should 
need  them.  The  noise  of  the  waters  seems  to  grow 
louder,  and  I  fear  we  are  again  approaching  some  great 
cataract,  which  will  probably,  like  the  last  we  encoun- 


DISEMBARKATION.  221 

tered,  terminate  all  hopes  of  boating.  I  propose  that  we 
should  at  once  make  for  yonder  niche  in  the  cliffs,  and 
unlade  the  canoes.  Wilkins  and  I  will  then  row  up  as 
high  as  we  can  in  a  lightened  canoe,  to  endeavor  to  fin<i 
out  a  mode  of  ascending  from  this  deep  gully." 

"  If  we  are  to  land,"  said  Gerald,  "  it  will  be  easy 
enough  to  climb  these  wooded  heights." 

"  Easy  for  you,  my  boy,"  said  Arthur,  "  especially  if 
you  had  no  encumbrances  ;  but  think  of  papa,  and 
Margaret,  Baldabella  and  her  child,  and  all  the  bags 
and  bundles  which  constitute  our  wealth.  We  must 
endeavor  to  discover  an  easier  road,  and  in  the  mean 
time  we  will  disembark  at  this  convenient  spot." 

Mr.  Mayburn  and  Margaret  remonstrated  with  Ar- 
thur for  exposing  himself  and  Wilkins  to  more  danger 
than  the  rest,  but  were  at  length  persuaded  that  the 
expedition  could  be  executed  with  more  safety  and  suc- 
cess by  a  small  party  ;  and  two  of  the  canoes,  with  all 
the  stowage,  were  therefore  landed  in  a  shady  nook, 
while  the  two  men  rowed  on  in  the  third  boat.  Marga- 
ret and  her  father  waited  uneasily,  but  the  two  boys 
amused  themselves  by  penetrating  into  the  woods,  to 
seek  birds ;  Jack  cut  down  branches  of  trees,  and 
formed  them  into  spears,  arrows,  or  forks  ;  Jenny  and 
Ruth  cooked  some  birds,  and  Baldabella,  armed  with  a 
spear,  waded  into  a  shallow  creek  of  the  river  near 
them,  and  speared  two  large  fish,  of  the  species  they 
called  the  fresh-water  cod.  Still  everybody  thought 
the  hours  went  slowly,  and  were  truly  glad  to  see  the 
light  canoe  gliding  swiftly  down  the  stream  with  Ar- 
thur and  Wilkins,  who  drew  it  ashore ;  then  Arthur 
said,  — 

"  If  possible,  we  must  make  our  way  along  the  banks, 
~19* 


222  ANOTHER    CATARACT. 

for  the  river  is  even  now  dangerous  of  ascent,  and  at  no 
great  distance  our  voyage  would  be  entirely  arrested  by 
a  cataract,  similar  to  that  we  encountered  soon  after  our 
reaching  the  mainland.  Wilkins  and  I,  after  mooring 
our  canoe  to  the  mangroves,  climbed  to  the  heights,  and 
found  we  were  then  only  at  the  base  of  successive  ranges 
of  hills,  which  terminated  in  high-peaked  mountains, 
apparently  inaccessible.  From  these  hills  flowed  many 
rivulets,  which  unite  at  the  grand  cataract  and  form  this 
river." 

To  make  further  progress  in  their  journey,  it  was 
therefore  necessary  that  they  should  reach  the  country 
above  the  high  rocky  banks  of  the  river,  and  Arthur 
said  that  on  their  return  they  had  noticed  one  place 
where  it  might  be  possible  for  the  whole  party  to  as- 
cend ;  though  the  path  must  necessarily  be  one  of  diffi- 
culty. 

They  dined  on  roast  birds  and  broiled  fish,  and  then 
began  an  active  preparation  for  walking.  Every  thing 
that  was  worth  transporting  was  reduced  to  as  small  a 
compass,  and  made  as  portable  as  possible ;  the  canoes 
were  reluctantly  abandoned,  and  then  the  long  train, 
headed,  as  usual,  by  Arthur,  set  out ;  Baldabella  quietly 
taking  her  place  in  the  line,  bearing  her  child  on  her 
shoulder,  and  resting  on  her  long  fish-spear. 

"  I  could  fancy  we  were  the  Israelites,  wandering  in 
the  wilderness,"  said  Gerald. 

"  You  will  please  to  recollect,  Gerald,"  said  Hugh, 
"  that  the  Israelites  exceeded  us  in  number  in  a  trifling 
degree,  extending  to  hundreds  of  thousands,  we  are 
told ;  and  then,  though  Arthur  is  doubtless  a  clever  fel- 
low, he  cannot  be  such  a  guide  as  the  wise  and  gifted 
Moses." 


THE  HAZARDOUS  ATTEMPT.          223 

"  The  Israelites  had  a  more  infallible  Guide,"  said 
Mr.  Mayburn,  "  than  even  their  great  leader  Moses, 
until  by  discontent  and  disobedience,  they  rejected  the 
Holy  One.  Let  us  take  warning,  my  children,  lest  we 
should,  in  like  manner,  forget  the  certain  protection 
which  our  Heavenly  Father  extends  to  all  his  faithful 
people." 

They  slowly  wound  along  the  narrow  strand,  some- 
times sunk  in  mud,  sometimes  climbing  over  mounds  of 
pebbles  or  piles  of  drift-wood,  anxiously  examining  the 
thick  malted  woods  which  covered  the  precipitous  cliffs, 
and  even  occasionally  intercepted  their  path.  For 
some  time  they  despaired  of  finding  any  spot  favorable 
for  the  purpose  of  reaching  the  level  ground ;  till  Ar- 
thur pointed  out  the  place  which  he  had  previously  no- 
ticed, where  the  banks  had  given  way,  and  a  great  fall 
of  rocks  had  formed  a  sort  of  sloping  staircase,  less  en- 
cumbered with  the  brushwood,  and  less  abrupt  than 
they  had  expected. 

"  If  we  ever  succeed  in  reaching  the  height,"  said 
Arthur,  "  this  must  be  our  path.  The  strong  must  lead 
the  way,  and  aid  in  drawing  up  the  feeble.  These 
drooping  creepers  will  be  convenient  to  cling  to,  that 
we  may  not  lose  the  ground  we  have  made.  Give  me 
your  hand,  Meggie." 

With  many  a  slip  downwards,  a  scream,  and  a  rend- 
ing of  garments,  the  women  were  dragged  up  through 
the  almost  perpendicular  wood.  Baldabella  alone,  erect 
and  firm  in  foot,  despised  assistance.  She  disencum- 
bered herself  of  all  loose  drapery,  and  clasping  her 
child,  she  stepped  among,  under,  or  over  the  bushes, 
with  speed  and  safety  ;  and  long  before  the  men  had 
reached  the  height,  she  had  quietly  resumed  the  garb  of 


224  A    FAIRY    WITH    A    TAIL. 

her  sex,  and  was  seated  to  wait  for  the  arrival  of  the 
less-practised  climbers.  They  were  scarcely  all  assem- 
bled, weary  and  tattered,  at  the  head  of  the  cliff,  when 
Ruth,  who  was  the  last,  suddenly  uttered  a  piercing 
shriek,  and  rushed  down  into  the  matted  bush  again, 
pursued  by  Jack,  who  captured  and  brought  her  back, 
struggling  and  exclaiming  against  his  interference. 

"  Oh,  Jack,  man,  let  me  be,"  cried  she  ;  "  did  n't  thou 
see't?  It's  an  uncanny  place,  this.  I  seed  it  mysel', 
Jack ;  it  were  a  little  auld  fairy,  grinning  at  me,  wi'  a 
long  tail." 

Jack  was  too  enlightened  to  have  any  dread  of  a 
fairy,  even  with  a  long  tail ;  and  he  persisted  in  bring- 
ing up  Ruth,  pale  and  trembling,  to  the  rest  of  the 
party,  though  she  continued  to  cry  out,  "  Yonder  she 
sits !  Jack,  honey !  keep  out  on  her  way ;  she  '11  charm 
thee." 

As  soon  as  the  boys  heard  Ruth's  story  of  the  tailed 
fairy,  they  ran  with  great  glee  to  the  spot  she  pointed 
out,  and  there,  perfectly  calm  and  immovable,  they  be- 
held the  old  fairy,  in  the  form  of  a  very  extraordinary 
lizard.  It  was  seated  on  its  tail,  apparently  undismayed 
by  the  presence  of  observers ;  and  Mr.  Mayburn  was 
called  to  the  spot  to  examine  the  new  discovery.  The 
length  of  the  body  might  be  five  inches,  but  the  tail 
was  twice  that  length ;  the  color  yellowish  brown  and 
black.  It  was  scaly  and  frightful,  and  its  human-like 
face,  prominent  eyes,  long  claws,  and  plaited  ruff,  might 
well  terrify  the  ignorant  and  superstitious. 

"  I  recognize  the  creature,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  "  from 
the  description  given  by  more  than  one  traveller,  to  be 
the  Chlamydosaurus  Kingii,  peculiar  to  Australia.  The 
frill  which  surrounds  its  head,  extending  even  to  the 


THE    FRILLED    LIZARD.  225 

chest,  and  folded  in  plaits,  points  out  the  distinct  species. 
This  ruff  is  a  curious  membrane,  which  can  be 
expanded,  by  means  of  slender  transverse  cartilages,  at 
the  will  of  the  animal,  when  it  is  roused  to  anger." 

'* Then  observe,  papa,"  said  Gerald,  "  how  indignant 
it  is  at  our  impertinent  remarks.  See  how  it  spreads 
its  broad  frill,  and  shows  its  sharp  teeth,  as  if  it  wished 
to  bite  us,  Must  I  knock  ife  down  ?  " 

"  Truly,  Gerald,"  answered  Mr.  Mayburn,  "  my  curi- 
osity would  overcome  the  feelings  of  humanity,  and  I 
should  be  tempted  to  desire  to  obtain  the  creature  ;  but  I 
see  Arthur  shakes  his  head  at  the  suggestion.  And,  af- 
ter all,  we  have  no  right  to  slaughter  the  unoffending 
animal." 

Baldabella,  on  whose  ears  Mr.  Mayburn's  words  fell 
in  vain,  looked  with  glittering  eyes  on  the  reptile,  and 
raising  her  spear  said  in  her  new  language,  "  Balda- 
bella eat  him."  But  the  lizard,  with  an  instinct  of 
danger,  ran  swiftly  up  the  tree,  assisted  by  its  hooked 
claws,  and  escaped  the  blow.  When  far  above  any  fear 
of  attack,  it  again  calmly  sat  down,  looking  down  on 
the  baffled  woman  with  a  frightful  sarcastic  grin. 

"  There  now ! "  said  Euth,  "  did  n't  I  tell  ye  she  were 
uncanny  ?  She  heard  all  'at  were  said,  as  sure  as 
we  're  here."  For  Ruth's  conviction  of  its  supernatural 
rank  was  not  to  be  shaken  by  Mr.  Mayburn's  scientific 
demonstration. 

After  satisfying  their  curiosity  in  looking  at  the 
frilled  lizard,  Arthur  called  on  his  forces  to  resume 
their  march.  Before  them  now  lay  rich  green  hills, 
rising  gradually  above  each  other,  and  intersected  by 
clear  streams,  flowing  into  the  river  they  had  left. 
These  hills  were  the  first  steps  to  mountains  which  rose, 


226  THE    KANGAROO    HERDS. 

high  and  rugged,  even  to  the  clouds.  The  hills,  though 
tedious,  would  not  be  very  difficult  to  ascend  ;  but  how 
to  pass  the  mountains  they  could  not  yet  judge. 

The  mountain-range  ran,  as  far  as  the  eye  could 
reach,  from  north-east  to  south-west,  and  completely  in- 
tercepted them  in  the  road  they  desired  to  pursue.  To 
pass  them,  if  possible,  must  therefore  be  their  aim  ;  or 
a  vast  deal  of  time  must  be  lost  in  making  a  circuitous 
course. 

"  We  will  ascend  the  hills,  at  all  events,"  said  Ar- 
thur, "and  look  round  us.  We  may,  perhaps,  find 
some  natural  pass.  We  might  even  try  a  kangaroo- 
path,  which  must  be  found,  for,  see  what  herds  of  the 
animals  are  bounding  along  under  the  lofty  trees  on  the 
hills." 

"  Oh,  do  let  us  have  a  kangaroo-hunt,  Arthur !  "  ex- 
claimed Hugh.  "  We  are  hungry,  and  kangaroo  meat 
would  fill  us  ;  and  therefore,  papa,  we  have  a  right  to 
kill  and  eat.'* 

"  Let 's  see  ye  set  about  it,"  said  Wilkins.  "  They  're 
sharper  fellows  nor  ye  think  on,  them  kangaroos,  my 
lad.  They  're  a  match  for  most  folks,  ban-in'  ye  have 
dogs,  or  follow  them  up  till  they  fall  tired,  and  that  '11 
maybe,  not  be  for  half  a  day.  I  ken  a  good  deal  of 
kangaroo-hunting ;  but  I  'se  not  clear  that  them  there 
chaps  is  so  shy  as  down-country  beasts  ;  ye  see,  they  '11 
niver  like  have  clapped  eyes  atop  on  a  man,  and 
they  '11  not  ken  man's  crafty  ways.'* 

"  To  the  disgrace  of  human  nature,"  said  Mr.  May- 
burn,  "  what  Wilkins  suggests  is  true  :  wherever  he  is 
recognized  by  the  brute  creation,  they  instinctively 

4  Shun  the  hateful  sight  of  man.'  '* 


PLAN    FOR    A    CHASE.  227 

"  Well,  sir,"  said  Gerald,  "  that  is,  I  suppose,  because 
the  ignoble  fears  the  noble  —  the  coward  the  brave." 

"  And  you  may  add,  Gerald,  the  slave  his  tyrant," 
continued  Mr.  Mayburn.  "  It  is  ever  thus  with 

1  Man,  proud  man ! 
Dressed  in  a  little  brief  authority. '  " 

"  But,  papa,"  said  Hugh,  "  we  are  in  need  of  food, 
and  you  must  allow  that  it  is  more  humane  to  destroy 
one  kangaroo  than  a  dozen  cockatoos  or  pheasants." 

"I  agree  with  Hugh,  papa,"  said  Margaret.  "We 
will,  if  possible,  content  ourselves  to-day  with  taking  one 
life." 

Armed  with  spears  and  throvving-sticks,  bows  and  ar- 
rows, and  one  boomerang  which  Baldabella  had  found, 
and  which  no  one  but  herself  could  yet  use,  the  hunters 
preceded  Mr.  Mayburn  and  Margaret.  By  the  direc- 
tions of  the  experienced  Wilkins,  they  spread  along  in 
a  line,  to  guard  the  foot  of  the  hill  ;  for  he  said  the  ani- 
mal always  took  a  downward  course  when  it  was 
alarmed,  for,  as  its  fore-feet  never  touch  the  ground  in 
its  greatest  speed,  it  has  more  time  in  a  descent  to  draw 
up  the  hind  legs,  to  make  the  immense  spring,  than  it 
could  have  with  an  ascent  before  it. 

No  sooner  had  the  timid  animals  seen  the  strange 
forms  of  the  hunters  than  they  started  off  with  such  in- 
credible speed,  that  no  one  unacquainted  with  their  hab- 
its could  have  believed  that  their  flight  was  a  series  of 
jumps,  and  that  their  fore-feet  never  touched  the 
ground.  In  their  confusion,  some  of  the  animals  tried 
to  penetrate  the  rank  of  the  hunters,  while  some  fled  to 
the  right  or  to  the  left.  The  spears  and  arrows  show- 
ered amongst  them,  and  more  than  one  beast  carried  off 


228  THE    KANGAROO    CHASE. 

the  weapon  sticking  in  him.  But  it  was  the  boomerang 
of  Baldabella  which,  after  complicated  and  mysterious 
evolutions,  struck  and  stunned  a  large  animal,  which 
Wilkins  presently  despatched  with  his  knife. 

Arthur  then  recalled  the  hunters,  saying,  "  We  will 
have  no  more  slaughter.  This  large  animal  will  supply 
us  with  as  much  meat  as  we  can  consume  while  it  re- 
mains fresh,  and  it  would  be  wanton  to  slay  more." 

The  rear  rank  then  joined  them.  The  body  of  the 
kangaroo,  suspended  on  a  long  pole,  was  shouldered  by 
AVilkins  and  Jack,  and  the  march  was  resumed.  They 
ascended  and  descended  several  hills,  till  night  and  fa- 
tigue compelled  them  to  rest  in  a  little  hollow,  where  a 
cooking-fire  was  made,  and  they  supped  with  great  en- 
joyment on  venison  steaks  ;  and,  like  the  early  inhabi- 
tants of  the  world,  before  luxury  and  artificial  wants 
had  enervated  them,  they  slept  beneath  the  canopy  of 
heaven,  among  the  everlasting  hills. 

"  Get  up,  Arthur,"  cried  Hugh,  early  next  morning. 
"  Get  up,  and  come  to  see  our  mountain-pass.  Gerald 
discovered  it,  and  therefore  we  propose  to  name  it  the 
*  Pass  of  Erin.'" 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

The  Dangerous  Pass.  —  The  Coupled  Travellers.  —  The  Mountain 
Labyrinth.  —  The  Emancipation  of  Ruth's  Chickens.  —  A  Com- 
bat a  ? entrance.  — The  Ornithorhyncus.  —  The  Forest  in  the 
Mountains.  —  Singing  Birds.  —  The  Laughing  Jackass. 

ARTHUR  was  soon  alert,  and  followed  the  boys,  who 
lecl  him  up  the  side  of  the  next  high  hill  and  along  the 
ridge  for  about  three  hundred  yards  to  the  south  west, 
and  then  pointed  out  to  him  a  narrow  rent  or  gorge  in 
the  mountain,  lying  far  below  the  hill  on  which  they 
stood  ;  but  from  this  hill  a  gradual  ascent,  formed  by 
fallen  rocks,  made  a  rude  path  to  a  narrow  shelf  or  ter- 
race which  they  now  saw  far  above  them,  and  which 
ran  along  the  precipitous  side  of  the  rocky  wall.  Ar- 
thur shuddered  as  he  said,  <kls  that  narrow  terrace 
passable,  do  you  think,  Gerald  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,"  answered  he ;  "  Hugh  and  I  had  a  run 
along  it  before  we  woke  you,  and  it  is  not  half  so  bad  as 
it  looks.  We  shall  manage  very  well  if  we  go  '  goose- 
walk  ; '  but  I  think  it  would  not  be  safe  for  two  abreast. 
To  be  sure,  it  is  rather  confusing  to  look  down  into  the 
depths  below ;  but  we  must  give  them  all  a  caution, 
and  I  think  it  would  be  better  to  blindfold  Ruth." 

"  There  is  nothing  for  us  but  to  try  it,"  said  Arthur. 
"  Let  us  return  to  breakfast  before  we  set  out." 

"  Yes,  we  might  as  well  reduce  the  bulk  of  the  kan- 
garoo," said  Hugh,  "  for  it  will  be  awkward  to  carry  it 
along  our  pass." 

But  when  the  plan  was  fully  arranged,  it  was  judged 

20  (  229  ) 


230  A    PERILOUS    JOURNEY. 

expedient  to  cut  up  the  kangaroo,  and  only  carry  away 
sufficient  for  another  day's  consumption.  Even  the 
useful  skin  was  reluctantly  abandoned,  as  Arthur  knew 
well  they  must  have  no  unnecessary  encumbrance. 
Ruth  could  not,  however,  be  persuaded  to  leave  her  pet 
fowls,  but  resolutely  set  out  with  her  basket  on  her 
arm. 

Then,  after  beseeching  a  blessing  on  their  perilous 
journey,  they  marched  forward,  and  gradually  ascend- 
ing the  hills,  they  reached  the  narrow  path  that 
skirted  the  mountain.  This  natural  shelving  was 
scattered  over  with  loose  stones,  and  occasionally 
broken  away  till  a  ledge  of  only  about  five  or  six 
feet  was  left  for  them  ;  but  the  creeping  plants  that 
covered  the  rock  enabled  the  timid  to  grasp  a  kind  of 
support  on  one  hand,  as  they  moved  cautiously  along 
the  unequal  and  perilous  path.  Below  this  terrace 
yawned  a  deep  gully,  that  formed  the  bed  of  a  stream, 
which  at  all  seasons  washed  its  sides.  This  stream 
was  now  shallow,  and  moved  sluggishly ;  but  rugged 
crags,  and  torn-up  trees,  lying  in  the  bed,  showed  that 
raging  torrents  must  pour  into  it  after  the  rainy  season. 

From  the  interstices  of  the  bush-covered  rocks  sprang 
the  gray-leaved  gum-tree,  the  elegant  casuarina,  and  a 
bright-leaved  tree  resembling  the  box,  but  lofty  and 
strong.  Among  these  trees  parrots  and  cockatoos  chat- 
tered incessantly,  and  on  the  gum-trees  hundreds  of  little 
active  opossums  sported  with  all  the  playfulness  of  mon- 
keys ;  and  Mr.  Mayburn  was  so  interested  in  watching 
them  hang  from  the  branches,  suspended  by  their 
curved  tail,  to  rifle  the  nests  of  the  birds,  or  feed  on  the 
numerous  insects  round  them,  that  Arthur,  in  alarm, 
stepped  back  to  hold  his  father  by  the  arm. 


THE  COUPLED  TRAVELLERS.          231 

"  I  tell  you  what  we  must  do,  Arthur,"  said  Gerald  ; 
"  we  must  be  linked  in  couples,  as  the  travellers  on  the 
Alps  are  ;  then,  if  one  makes  a  false  step,  there 's  a 
chance  for  his  mate  to  draw  him  up." 

"  No  bad  plan,  Gerald,"  answered  Arthur ;  "  but  we 
must  take  care  to  couple  with  judgment.  The  prudent 
or  brave  must  take  charge  of  the  rash  or  the  timid.  I 
will  take  papa ;  Jack,  his-  unlucky  sister ;  Hugh,  Mar- 
garet, or,  more  correctly,  Margaret  must  take  Hugh; 
Wilkins  will  take  charge  of  nurse;  and  you,  the  neglected 
proposer  of  this  wise  measure,  cannot  profit  by  it,  unless 
you  will  submit  to  be  guided  by  Baldabella,  who  seems 
to  trip  along  with  her  lively  burden  unapprehensive  of 
danger." 

Hugh  preferred  to  walk  unfettered ;  and  Arthur  had 
no  fears  for  the  native  woman,  whose  firm  and  steady 
step  showed  that  she  had  been  accustomed  to  such 
rough  and  scrambling  paths. 

Arthur,  who  was  the  first  of  the  line,  now  became 
uneasy,  as,  on  looking  before  him,  he  remarked  that,  as 
far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  there  appeared  to  be  no  ter- 
mination to  the  mountain  wilderness.  He  could  have 
fancied  that  a  labyrinth  of  broken,  precipitous,  lofty,  and 
interminable  rocks  shut  them  completely  from  the 
world.  It  was  a  bewildering  prospect,  and  even  the 
strong  heart  of  Arthur  almost  failed  him,  and  his  head 
whirled  at  the  sight  of  such  stupendous  and  uncertain 
difficulties. 

A  scream  from  Ruth  recalled  him  to  his  immediate 
duties,  and  on  turning  round  he  saw  her  much-valued 
basket  of  poultry  bound  down  the  precipice  over  the 
bushes,  till  it  rested  on  a  lower  ledge,  some  hundreds 
of  feet  beneath  them,  where  it  flew  open,  and  the  fowls, 


232  THE    COMBAT. 

uninjured  by  their  involuntary  flight,  fluttered  from 
their  prison,  and  began  calmly  to  peck  about  for  food ; 
while  the  little  bantam  cock  proclaimed  his  liberty  by 
shaking  his  plumes  and  uttering  his  conceited  hoarse 
crow. 

"  They  are  settlers  now,  Ruth,"  cried  Gerald,  laugh- 
ing ;  "  the  first  colonists  —  regular  squatters.  How  as- 
tonished future  travellers  will  be  when  they  make  the 
curious  discovery :  a  species  of  bird  remarkably  like 
Callus  Barndoorii.  What  grand  names  they  will  be- 
stow on  them !  and  write  long  papers,  and  puzzle  orni- 
thologists." 

But  the  patriarch  of  this  new  species  was  not  allowed 
to  squat  among  the  aborigines  with  impunity;  his  tri- 
umphant notes  were  answered  by  a  crow  of  defiance  in 
a  less  familiar  tone  from  a  splendid  cock  pheasant,  which 
pounced  down  on  the  new  comer  with  a  furious  peck, 
that  the  true-trained  English  bird,  notwithstanding  his 
foreign  ancestry,  could  not  brook.  The  brave  little 
bantam  retaliated  boldly,  and  a  furious  combat  ensued, 
causing  even  the  English  hens  to  raise  their  heads  from 
their  pleasant  feast,  and  appear  somewhat  interested  in 
the  event ;  while  Ruth  shrieked,  "  He  '11  kill  him  !  Jack, 
honey!  throw  a  stone  at  him!  drive  him  off!  Chuck! 
chuck!" 

But  though  Ruth's  familiar  cry  failed  to  separate  the 
combatants  a  I' entrance,  the  pleased  hens  recognized 
the  well-known  call,  and  responded  to  it  by  fluttering 
and  scrambling  up  the  mountain  side,  to  partake  of  the 
scattered  grain ;  and  in  the  fulness  of  their  feast,  they 
were  easily  captured,  and  stowed  in  separate  bags  and 
pouches,  till  a  new  dwelling  could  be  made  for  them. 

Then    the  little  feathered  hero  below,  having   van- 


THE    VICTORY.  233 

quished  and  left  his  antagonist  for  dead,  perched  for  a 
moment  on  the  pinnacle  of  a  shattered  rock,  and  crowed 
triumphantly,  as  if  to  defy  the  whole  race  of  native 
birds ;  after  which  demonstration,  he  leisurely  followed 
his  female  friends  up  the  steep,  to  share  their  feast  and 
their  captivity. 

Notwithstanding  the  alarm  and  delay  caused  by  this 
accident,  there  was  something  amusing  about  it  that 
was  not  without  its  beneficial  effects.  Ruth  continued 
to  lament  the  loss  of  her  basket ;  but  Jack  scolded  her 
seriously  for  her  foolish  fears  and  awkwardness,  which 
were  the  sole  cause  of  the  loss.  He  declared  the  fowls 
were  absolute  pests,  and  wholly  useless  in  a  region 
where  birds  and  eggs  dropped  into  your  hands ;  but 
his  remonstrances  having  produced  tears  of  penitence 
and  promises  of  amendment,  he  relented,  and  promised 
to  make  for  her  a  coop,  or  cage,  of  cane,  which  would 
be  easier  to  carry  than  the  basket,  and  afford  more  air 
to  the  unfortunate  prisoners. 

After  wandering  for  two  days  along  their  frequently 
dangerous,  and  always  difficult,  aerial  pathway,  resting 
only  when  they  came  to  some  rocky  hollow,  they  began 
to  pine  for  a  less-hazardous  road ;  and  they  now  per- 
ceived that,  with  the  usual  caprice  of  Australian  rivers, 
the  stream  in  the  narrow  bed  below  them  had  disap- 
peared, though  slender  rills  continually  fell  from  the 
mountains,  but  subsided  into  bogs,  or  formed  pools  be- 
low. They  therefore  resolved,  if  they  could  safely 
accomplish  it,  to  descend  to  the  bed  of  the  river;  and 
endeavor  to  extricate  themselves  from  the  rocky  maze 
in  which  they  seemed  hopelessly  involved. 

After  another  day's  travelling,  they  fancied  the  de- 
scent appeared  more  practicable  than  it  had  yet  been 
90* 


234  AN    EXTEMPORE    STAIRCASE. 

since  they  set  out  on  the  shelving  terrace,  and  it  was 
decided  to  make  the  trial.  The  first  step  would  decid- 
edly be  the  most  difficult.  About  twelve  feet  below 
them  another  shelf  of  rock  projected,  wider  than  that 
on  which  they  now  stood ;  but  how  to  reach  it  was  a 
puzzling  question,  for  the  descent  was  perpendicular, 
and  quite  overgrown  with  thorny  bushes. 

"  If  you  will  help  me,  Master  Hugh,"  said  Jack,  "  I 
think  we  may  manage  it.  We  must  just  cut  down  the 
bushes  into  steps  like  for  them  that  feel  timid." 

Employment  was  the  grand  need  of  the  active  boys, 
and  to  clear  a  passage  as  low  as  they  could  reach,  and 
then  step  down  on  the  bushes  to  work  below,  was  a 
pleasant  amusement,  The  stone  axes  were  now  found 
to  be  perfectly  serviceable,  and  they  soon  cut  six  clear- 
ances, each  two  feet  deep,  graduating  like  a  staircase, 
of  which  the  matted  brush  formed  the  steps,  which 
reached  to  the  lower  terrace ;  and  down  the  staircase 
the  agitated  females  were,  one  after  another,  assisted, 
and  safely  placed  on  the  broad  shelf. 

This  was  a  decided  victory,  and  they  now  saw,  to  their 
great  satisfaction,  that  the  lower  descent  sloped  so  much, 
from  accumulated  rocks  and  drift-wood,  that  by  clear- 
ing the  way  with  the  axes,  they  easily  reached  the 
comparative  security  of  the  muddy  bed  of  the  vanished 
river.  They  looked  round  on  the  immense  walls 
which  inclosed  them  with  some  dismay ;  then  Gerald 
said,  — • 

"  Now,  Meggie,  we  only  want  the  great  rains  to  come 
on,  and  then  we  shall  have  some  notion  of  the  situation 
of  sinful  man  in  the  Deluge." 

"  I  trust,  my  dear  boy,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  "  that  you 
do  not  allude  to  that  fearful  judgment  with  levity.  And 


THE    ORNITHORHYNCHUS.  235 

surely,  Arthur,  we  are  not  near  the  time  of  the  terrific 
tropical  rains." 

"  Usually,  papa,  I  believe  the  heaviest  autumnal  peri- 
odical rains  are  in  February  and  March,"  said  Arthur. 
"  We  are  now  in  the  midst  of  summer ;  still  I  must  con- 
fess I  have  read  of  continued  rains,  even  at  this  season ; 
'but  I  trust  we  shall  be  in  a  safer  locality  before  such 
trying  weather  comes  on.  "We  are  certainly  progress- 
ing in  the  way  we  wish  to  go ;  but  the  immense  extent 
of  the  mountain-range  is  extraordinary.  Fortunately, 
we  are  not  in  a  desert,  we  are  surrounded  by  plenty, 
and  as  far  as  we  have  yet  penetrated,  ferocious  animals 
seem  unknown  ;  and  more,  ferocious  man  rarely  encoun- 
tered. I  only  fear  for  your  strength,  dear  papa,  and  for 
that  of  dear  Meggie." 

"Fear  not  for  us,  Arthur,"  answered  Margaret; 
"  you  know  I  am  naturally  strong ;  and  God  has  given 
renewed  life  and  health  to  dear  papa.  His  delight  in 
these  new  and  varied  scenes  of  Nature  makes  every  toil 
light  to  him.  Observe  him  now,  pausing  and  contem- 
plating something  at  yon  large  pond ;  let  us  join  him. 
Now,  papa !  what  is  the  new  discovery  ?  " 

"  Wonderful,  my  children,"  said  he.  "  Behold  this 
marvellous  new  creature.  Undoubtedly  it  must  be  the 
Ornithorhynchus  paradoxus,  the  duck-billed  Platypus, 
which  I  should  have  recognized,  from  the  numerous 
sketches  I  have  seen ;  and  my  warmest  hopes  are  ful- 
filled in  the  happiness  of  really  looking  on  the  rare  ani- 
mal in  its  native  wilds." 

"  Is 't  a  duck,  think  ye,  Miss  Marget  ?  "  asked  Ruth, 
with  a  kind  of  awe. 

"  Has  a  duck  four  legs,  Ruth  ?  "  asked  Gerald.    "  Has 


236  AN    ANOMALOUS    ANIMAL. 

it  fur  on  its  back,  and  a  broad  finny  tail  ?  No,  Ruth, 
this  is  not  a  strange  fowl,  but  a  strange  beast." 

"  Nevertheless,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  "  there  are 
irreconcilable  circumstances  in  such  a  decision.  This 
animal,  if  we  rank  it  among  the  mammalia,  belongs  to 
no  order  yet  named,  but  stands  alone.  Quadruped  it  is, 
certainly;  web-footed,  certainly;  ovo-viviparous,  cer- 
tainly, as  the  eggs  are  hatched  before  birth,  and  the 
young  then  suckled,  like  the  mammalia.  Feeding  on 
worms  and  grubs,  like  the  duck  ;  sleeping  rolled  up,  like 
the  hedgehog ;  playful  as  the  monkey,  and  harmless  as 
the  dove ;  —  we  cannot  but  look  with  astonishment  and 
admiration  on  this  remarkable  caprice  of  Nature." 

"  They  're  ugly  beasts,  that  I  '11  say,"  was  Jenny's 
remark,  "  and  not  half  so  good  as  a  duck  for  such  as  us  ; 
but  I  'se  warrant  them  poor  heathens  eat  'em  as  we  would 
a  roast  goose." 

Leaving  the  platypus,  which  they  now  saw  at  every 
pool  as  they  proceeded,  they  walked  on  till  the  ravine 
gradually  became  wider,  but  the  mountain-line  still 
spread  on  each  side.  Soon  after,  the  pools  disappeared, 
and  rich  grass  supplied  their  place.  Wild  and  wonder- 
ful was  now  their  daily  journey,  for  before  them  lay 
immense  untrodden  forests,  inclosed  between  lofty  cliffs, 
which  rose  to  the  clouds,  and  the  travellers  felt  in- 
spired with  awe  as  they  looked  round  on  the  majesty  of 
Nature. 

Yet  the  softer  features  of  loveliness  were  not  absent ; 
every  step  was  on  some  beautiful,  usually  some  quite 
new,  plant,  and  the  lofty  forest  trees  were  of  species  now 
first  seen,  and  were  garlanded  round  with  flowering 
creepers  of  the  most  brilliant  dyes ;  while  the  rich  per- 


THE    LAUGHING   JACKASS.  237 

fume  of  the  jasmine,  and  the  heliotrope-like  odor  of  the 
golden-blossomed  acacia  filled  the  air.  Bright  orchida, 
unnamed  and  unknown,  masses  of  ferns  of  unexampled 
beauty,  were  scattered  round  this  vast  conservatory 
of  nature ;  and  amidst  all  this  profusion,  thousands  of 
birds  whistled,  chattered,  warbled,  and  uttered  the 
startling  foreign  notes  which  assure  you  that  you  are  in 
a  strange  land. 

There  was  the  sweet- voiced  bell-bird,  a  pretty  little 
creature,  whose  notes  ring  with  a  silver  sound;  there 
was  the  pert  pied  bird,  which  might  seem  really  a  mag- 
pie, if  it  were  not  tailless,  which  has  a  low  flute-like 
song,  swelling  like  the  organ  ;  whence  it  is  named  by 
the  colonists  the  organ-magpie ;  and  as  each  strain  of 
these  warblers  died  away,  the  loud,  hoarse,  derisive 
notes  of  a  curious  bird,  resembling  none  of  the  known 
species  of  the  world,  seemed  to  ridicule  the  musical 
performers. 

"No  doubt,  papa,"  said  Hugh,  "this  must  be  the 
*  laughing  jackass,'  of  which  we  have  read  an  account. 
Do  you  hear  the  regular  <  Ha !  ha  !  ha !'  from  which  he 
derives  his  name,  and  which  sounds  so  strangely  when 
mingled  with  the  notes  of  the  warblers  ?  But  now  he 
has  roused  all  the  cockatoos  and  parrots,  who  are 
screaming  their  jargon  above  all  other  sounds." 

"  Just  listen,  Hugh,"  said  Gerald,  "  those  jackass 
birds  are  surely  blowing  a  penny  trumpet.  Did  you 
ever  hear  such  a  noise  —  laughing,  braying,  trumpeting? 
you  might  fancy  you  were  at  a  country  fair.  How 
Ruth  does  stare !  I  say,  Ruth,  what  do  you  think  of 
them?" 

"  Will  they  be  Christians,  Master  Gerald  ?  "  asked  the 
trembling  girl. 


238  MORE    STRANGE    ANIMALS. 

"  Hopeless  heathens,  Ruth,"  answered  the  wild  boy ; 
"feathered  donkeys,  flying  punches,  instinctive  mock- 
ing-birds, repeating  sounds  which  they  have  never 
heard.  See,  papa,  there  is  one  of  the  jolly  fellows, 
perched  on  yon  gum-tree.  What  a  monstrous  beak  he 
has  1  " 

"  I  contemplate  the  bird  with  great  interest,  my  boy," 
answered  Mr.  Mayburn.  "  It  has  been  classed  with  the 
Halcyons  by  naturalists,  and  named  Dacelo  gigantea ; 
yet,  in  its  social  habits,  and  flexible  and  apt  organs  of 
voice,  it  seems  rather  to  resemble  the  jay.  It  is  some- 
what remarkable  that  amidst  the  gorgeously-attired  birds 
that  surround  it,  this  rarely-gifted  bird  wears  a  garb  so 
simple  and  unadorned.  You  observe  that  it  frequents 
the  gum-tree,  arid  its  sombre  plumage,  assimilating  so 
happily  with  the  gray  foliage  of  the  tree,  is  at  once  a 
protection  and  a  distinction.  How  rejoiced  I  should  be, 
my  dear  boy,  if  we  could  make  a  complete  collection  of 
these  rare  creatures  ;  but  the  difficulties  of  transporting 
them  safely  in  our  journey  are  insurmountable." 

"  Wait,  sir,"  replied  Gerald,  "  till  we  catch  our  quag- 
gas  ;  then  Jack  will  make  us  a  wagon,  which  we  can 
convert  into  a  menagerie,  filled  with  curious  animals, 
and  drawn  by  our  own  beasts." 

"  The  quagga  is  not  a  native  of  Australia,  Gerald," 
replied  Mr.  Mayburn  ;  "  nor  does  the  country,  happily, 
produce  any  of  the  large  and  fierce  quadrupeds.  We 
must  not  dare  to  think  of  any  vehicle  for  travelling ;  yet 
many  hundred  miles  separate  us  from  the  useful  animals 
of  our  dear  friends  the  Deverells;  and  my  heart  fails 
me  when  I  reflect  on  the  improbability  of  our  ever 
reaching  them." 

Margaret  sighed  as  she  said,  "  And  I  too,  dear  papa, 


THE    GOOD    FAIRIES.  239 

cannot  help  many  idle  wishes  that  we  were  come  to 
open  plains,  and  more  direct  paths.  These  lovely  wilds 
of  Nature,  forests  and  mountains,  are  very  charming1; 
but  they  seem  too  romantic  and  unreal  to  be  satis- 
factory. If  we  were  to  keep  a  journal,  and  publish  it 
hereafter,  we  should,  I  fear,  be  ridiculed  for  inventing 
fairy  tales." 

"In  truth,  Margaret,"  answered  her  father,  "fairy 
tales  were  not  originally  mere  inventions  of  the  imagi- 
nation. They  were  the  offspring  of  the  experience  of 
observing  travellers  over  lovely  untrodden  wilds  like 
these.  And  what  are  the  miraculous  transformations 
they  describe  but  such  as  might  really  happen  —  the 
ingenious  contrivances  of  man  when  destitute  of  all  the 
resources  of  civilized  life  ?  Has  not  Jack  transformed  a 
flint-stone  into  an  axe  ?  and  have  we  not  cups  and  plates 
which  were  once  the  abodes  of  the  shell-fish  ?  Difficul- 
ties originate  miraculous  efforts,  and  man  is  indebted  to 
the  good  fairies,  Necessity  and  Ingenuity,  for  many  of 
his  comforts." 

"  Very  true,  dear  papa,"  said  Arthur  ;  "  and  the  fairy 
Necessity  now  calls  on  us  peremptorily  to  escape  from 
these  forests,  where  I  have  twice  during  this  day  heard 
the  coo-ee  of  the  natives,  though  at  a  considerable  dis- 
tance before  us.  I  have  been  for  some  time  anxiously 
examining  the  south  side  of  the  gorge  for  any  outlet 
which  may  enable  us  to  turn  away  from  their  haunts." 

They  had  been  making  their  way  for  some  hours 
along  the  southern  extremity  of  the  forest,  still  hemmed 
in  by  the  high  rocks,  when  Gerald,  creeping  into  a 
narrow  cleft,  declared  that  he  had  found  a  tunnel,  and 
called  on  Hugh  to  assist  him  in  exploring  it.  Fearful 


240  A    TUNNEL. 

that  they  should  bewilder  themselves  in  the  recesses  of 
the  mountains,  Arthur  proposed  that  all  the  party  should 
enter  the  opening,  which  was  a  cavern  of  great  height 
and  space,  where  they  might  remain  till  he  and  his 
brothers  penetrated  further  into  the  rocks.  They  lighted 
some  dry  branches  for  torches,  and  set  out,  satisfied  that 
the  rest  would  be  in  safety  in  this  secure  retreat. 

The  boys  found  this  tunnel  descend  gradually  :  some- 
times it  was  narrow  and  low,  sometimes  wide  and  en- 
cumbered with  fallen  fragments  of  rock  ;  still,  it  was 
airy,  and  they  were  able  to  pass  on,  till  they  concluded 
they  must  have  walked  half  a  mile.  They  were  then  so 
desponding  that  they  thought  of  turning  back,  but  at 
length  a  glimmering  of  light  satisfied  them  that  there 
must  be  another  outlet,  and  they  took  courage  to  pro- 
ceed, till  they  reached  a  matted  thicket  of  brushwood 
through  which  they  forced  their  way,  and  then  had  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  the  sky  above  their  heads,  though 
they  were  still  in  a  very  narrow  gully.  It  seemed  to  be 
the  dry  bed  of  a  rivulet,  choked  up  with  stones  and 
torn-up  bushes.  Before  them  rose  another  line  of  bush- 
covered  mountains,  but  not  so  lofty  or  precipitous  as 
those  they  had  left  behind. 

"  Is  it  worth  while,"  said  Hugh,  "  to  drag  the  whole 
party  through  that  gloomy  subterranean  passage,  to 
bring  them  into  this  glen,  which  seems  perfectly  barren 
and  lifeless  ?  I  am  of  opinion  that  we  were  better  in 
our  old  forest." 

"  Wait  for  my  decision,"  said  Gerald,  springing  up 
the  side  of  the  opposite  mountains,  regardless  of  the 
rending  of  his  light  blouse,  and  his  scratched  hands  ; 
and  before  long  he  stood  on  the  summit. 


CANNIBALS.  241 

"  This  will  do  for  us  capitally,"  he  cried  out.  "  Wide 
plains  below,  but  an  awkward  step  down  to  them. 
Jack  will  have  to  cut  a  staircase  again." 

This  account  of  the  country  satisfied  Arthur,  and  they 
hastened  back  at  once  to  relieve  the  anxiety  of  their 
friends,  whom  they  found  in  a  state  of  great  alarm. 
The  cries  of  the  savages  had  gradually  approached  so 
near  to  them,  that  Margaret  induced  Wilkins  and  Jack 
to  close  the  opening  by  which  they  had  entered  with  a 
large  piece  of  rock.  Then  they  had  heard  voices  close 
to  the  rocks,  and  Baldabella,  who  was  now  able  to 
speak  many  English  words,  said  —  "Many  bad  black 
fellows !  much  bad !  see  white  man  foot-walk.  —  Black 
fellow  come  —  slow,  slow  —  catch  all  —  eat  master  — 
—  eat  miss  —  eat  old  Jin  —  eat  Nakinna  —  all!  all!'* 

It  was  with  much  difficulty  they  restrained  the  cries 
cf  Ruth,  when  she  comprehended  that  she  was  in  dan- 
ger of  being  eaten ;  and  though  Mr.  Mayburn  doubted 
and  disputed  the  existence  of  cannibalism  in  Australia, 
Wilkins  and  Jack  succeeded  in  inducing  the  whole  fam- 
ily to  move  on  in  the  track  of  the  pioneers,  rather  than 
risk  the  danger  of  discovery  at  the  mouth  of  the  cave. 

21 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

The  Tunnel  through  the  Mountains.  —  The  Chase  of  the  Emu 

An  Encounter  with  the  Natives.  —  The  Rescue  of  Baldabella  and 
her  Child.  —  Making  a  Bridge.  —  Canoes  Again.  —  The  Fishing  of 
Baldabella. 

THE  report  of  the  boys  decided  the  movement  of  the 
family,  and  they  hastened  through  the  long  tunnel  to  the 
cheerless  glen.  They  then  sought  the  easiest  ascent, 
that  they  might  escape  from  these  widely-spread  moun- 
tains, and  a  herd  of  kangaroos  in  the  bush,  disturbed  by 
strange  voices,  just  then  appeared,  and  bounded  up  the 
steep  wood  at  a  place  which  the  travellers  who  followed 
them  found  had  been  selected  with  a  happy  instinct,  for 
it  was  less  abrupt  and  less  matted  with  brush  than  that 
which  Gerald  had  ascended.  The  strong  assisted  the 
weak,  and  with  some  difficulty  all  were  brought  to  the 
ridge,  and  looked  down  with  mingled  feelings  of  relief 
and  alarm  on  the  widely-spread,  thinly-wooded  plains  so 
far  below  them. 

The  descent  was  much  more  tedious  and  laborious. 
Axes  and  ropes  were  put  in  requisition  ;  but  finally  all 
planted  their  feet  thankfully  on  the  green  sward,  and 
looked  round  on  a  new  region,  where  their  progress 
would  be  less  retarded,  but  their  exposure  to  observa- 
tion would  necessarily  be  greater  than  before. 

"  And  I  see  neither  meat  nor  water,"  said  Jenny,  de- 
spondingly. 

"  We  have  still  potatoes  left,"  said  Margaret  ;  "  and 
though  we  have  not  yet  seen  much  animal  life,  I  trust 

(242) 


THE    CHASE    OF   THE    EMU.  243 

there  is  no  fear  of  famine.  I  certainly  see  some  crea- 
ture moving  beneath  yon  golden  acacia." 

"  Huzza !  papa ! "  cried  Gerald.  "  There 's  the  Emu 
at  last !  I  saw  one  at  the  Zoological  Gardens,  and  I 
know  the  fellow  at  once.  Now,  how  are  we  to  get 
hold  of  him  ?  I  fear  his  skin  is  too  tough  for  a  spear  or 
an  arrow  to  do  much  harm,  and  Arthur  is  so  careful  of 
his  charges." 

"  I  have  but  four  left,"  answered  Arthur,  with  a  sigh, 
"  and  I  am  unwilling  to  waste  my  shot,  and  perhaps  at- 
tract the  attention  of  the  wandering  natives.  We  will 
try  arrows  and  spears,  and,  if  we  can,  the  boomerang." 

"  Be  canny,  lads  ! "  cried  Wilkins,  in  great  excitement. 
"  Keep  at  his  back,  I  tell  ye ;  he  can  see  half  a  mile 
afore  him,  but  he 's  as  deaf  as  a  post ;  and  if  he  once  gets 
a  sight  on  us  he  '11  be  off  like  Voltigeur,  and  he  '11  be 
a  smart  chap  as  sets  eyes  on  him  again.  Stand  here, 
we  '11  try  a  throw  now ;  and  Jin,  woman,  gie  us  a  touch 
of  yer  boomerang." 

Baldabella  was  as  much  excited  as  any  of  the  party, 
and  perfectly  understood  the  rules  of  emu-hunting. 
They  fixed  themselves  at  a  proper  distance,  and  then, 
seeing  that  the  bird,  which  had  been  feeding  on  some 
root  or  herbage,  had  raised  its  head,  as  if  about  to  move, 
they  flung  their  spears  and  discharged  their  arrows  with 
some  effect,  as  a  spear  and  an  arrow  were  left  in  its 
side;  Baldabella  at  the  same  time  threw  her  boome- 
rang, which  struck  it  with  such  force  that  it  staggered, 
and  uttered  a  deep,  booming  cry  ;  but,  rallying  again,  it 
began  to  run  very  swiftly,  till  a  second  flight  of  spears 
and  arrows  brought  it  to  the  ground. 

All  the  party  then  went  up  to  it ;  and  O'Brien  had 
approached,  and  was  about  to  touch  it,  when  Wilkins 


244  THE    USEFUL    EGGS. 

seized  his  arm,  and  drew  him  back  just  in  time ;  for  the 
animal  struck  out  its  powerful  leg,  and  shattered  the 
bow  which  the  boy  held  in  his  hand. 

"  He  would  have  sarved  your  leg  as  bad,"  said  Wil- 
kins,  "  if  he  could  have  hitten  ye.  He  has  a  leg  like  a 
sledge  hammer  for  a  hit.  We  'se  be  forced  to  give  him 
a  few  more  spears  afore  it  will  be  safe  to  come  nigh 
him." 

But  a  blow  on  the  head  stunned  the  huge  creature ; 
and  it  was  then  quickly  dispatched  and  cut  up.  They 
contented  themselves  with  carrying  off  the  two  hind 
quarters,  which  Wilkins  assured  them  afforded  the  most 
palatable  meat,  and  which  would  be  ample  provision  for 
two  days. 

"  There  are  some  eggs,  too,"  said  Hugh,  "  which  we 
might  carry  off  for  papa ;  but  they  are  so  tremendously 
large  and  heavy." 

"  The  egg  is,  I  believe,  excellent  food,"  said  Arthur ; 
"  but  with  food  we  are  abundantly  supplied.  I  think 
we  must  take  two,  however ;  one  for  papa,  the  other 
to  form  into  that  very  useful  vessel,  a  water-bottle  or 
bucket." 

Delighted  with  the  immense  dark  green  egg,  and  the 
examination  of  the  curious,  fur-like  plumage  of  the  emu, 
Mr.  Mayburn  no  longer  regretted  the  forest  scenery  he 
had  left,  but  cheerfully  went  forward  over  the  green 
and  flowery  plain,  till,  after  walking  many  miles,  they 
encamped  beneath  a  gum-tree,  made  a  fire,  and  broiled 
some  emu-steaks,  which  all  pronounced  would  have 
been  better  than  beef-steaks  if  they  could  have  had  a 
little  salt  to  eat  with  them ;  but  they  were  gradually 
becoming  reconciled  to  this  privation. 

No  one  dared  to   murmur,  amidst   their   blessings, 


THE    CHAIN    OF    POOLS.  245 

because  they  had  been  a  day  without  water ;  but  they 
trusted  in  God  to  provide  them  with  this  boon,  too,  in 
his  good  time.  The  large  egg  was  carefully  cleaned 
out  through  a  small  opening  made  by  Jack  at  one  end, 
and  then  slung  with  cords,  to  make  it  convenient  to 
carry  next  day,  before  they  took  their  rest. 

But  the  next  day  they  had  travelled  for  many  hours, 
till,  faint  and  weary,  their  steps  were  feeble  and  languid, 
when  the  sight  of  a  line  of  casuarina-trees  directed 
them  to  the  bed  of  a  river,  now  quite  dry ;  and  while 
the  most  exhausted  sat  down  to  rest,  the  young  and 
active  proceeded  up  the  har$  bed  till  it  became  mud, 
and  a  little  higher,  muddy  pools.  Into  these  pools  they, 
at  once,  plunged  their  faces,  and  drank,  and  moistened 
their  burning  skin,  and  then  each  laughed  at  the  crust 
of  dirt  left  on  his  neighbor's  face.  But  by  persevering 
in  walking  on,  they  met  with  a  pool  of  clearer  water, 
from  which  they  filled  their  water  buckets  and  mussel- 
shells,  and  returned  to  take  the  refreshment  to  their 
friends,  and  then  to  conduct  them  to  the  moister  region. 

They  continued  to  pursue  the  course  of  the  chain  of 
pools  which  must  in  a  short  time  be  really  a  river,  when 
the  periodical  rains  came  on.  The  prospect  of  these 
approaching  rains  rendered  all  the  thoughtful  of  the 
party  anxious  and  uneasy ;  for  the  pleasant  open  air 
life  to  which  they  had  become  habituated  would  then  be 
intolerable. 

For  two  days  the  emu-flesh  was  eatable,  and  the 
pools  amply  supplied  them  with  water.  Then  they 
again  reached  a  line  of  low  hills  from  which  the  river 
had  its  source ;  and  through  the  shrubs  and  brushwood 
that  covered  them  they  forced  or  cut  their  way,  and 
descended  on  a  more  fertile  and  pleasant  plain. 
21* 


246  AN    UNPLEASANT   RENCONTKE. 

But,  to  their  great  annoyance,  they  beheld  before 
them  several  natives  gathered  round  a  fire,  employed  in 
making  spears  and  arrows,  which  they  were  hardening 
in  the  fire.  On  one  side  sat  two  women,  bruising  some 
grain  or  nuts  between  two  stones :  these  women  wore 
cloaks  of  opossum  fur ;  but  the  men  were  almost  entire- 
ly naked,  and  had  their  bodies  marked  with  frightful 
cicatrices.  Though  it  was  plain  these  natives  must 
have  seen  the  approach  of  the  strangers,  and  probably 
now,  for  the  first  time  beheld  white  men,  they  preserved 
a  dignified  composure,  pursuing  their  labors,  without  any 
apparent  notice  of  the  intruders. 

Arthur  drew  up  the  forces  abreast  in  a  long  line,  say- 
ing, "  Walk  on  firmly,  and  imitate  the  indifference  of 
the  natives.  I  entreat  you,  above  all,  not  to  show  the 
least  fear." 

They  marched  slowly  forward  till  they  were  close  to 
the  savages,  when  the  little  Nakinna,  attracted  by  the 
sight  of  a  child  about  her  own  age,  which  was  playing 
near  the  women,  broke  from  her  mother  and  ran  up  to 
the  child.  The  tallest  of  the  men  then  stepped  from 
the  rest  and  caught  up  the  child  in  his  arms.  The  dis- 
tracted mother  darted  forward  to  rescue  her,  and  was 
also  seized  and  detained  by  two  natives,  while  she  called 
out  piteously  to  her  white  friends  to  assist  her. 

Arthur  was  much  vexed  at  this  incident,  which  he 
feared  would  form  a  pretext  for  a  quarrel ;  but  it  was 
impossible  to  abandon  poor  Baldabella,  who  seemed 
very  repugnant  to  return  to  savage  life.  He  therefore 
called  Wilkins  to  follow  him,  and  going  up  to  the  man 
who  held  the  child,  made  an  effort  to  remove  her  gently 
from  his  arms.  The  man  resisted  and  held  her  firmly ; 
then  Arthur,  assuming  a  threatening  expression  of  coun- 


BALDABELLA,    A    CAPTIVE.  247 

tenance,  uttered  some  words  in  a  loud,  stern  tone,  and 
at  the  same  time  pointed  to  his  rifle. 

The  savage  stared  at  him  and  his  weapon  with  a 
countenance  half  of  fear,  half  of  wonder.  He  then  point- 
ed to  the  complexion  of  the  mother  and  the  child,  and 
also  to  his  own,  and  to  Arthur's,  as  if  he  questioned  the 
right  of  the  white  people  to  detain  those  who  certainly 
were  not  of  their  race. 

Arthur  then  made  Baldabella  comprehend  that  she 
must  tell  the  men  that  if  they  did  not  release  her  and 
Nakinna,  the  white  men  would  kill  them  all.  The 
woman  at  once  understood  and  repeated  the  message ; 
and  was  answered  by  the  tall  savage.  She  shook  with 
terror  as  he  spoke,  and  turning  to  Arthur  said, — 

"  Black  fellow  say,  Peter  want  Baldabella.  Balda- 
bella must  go.  No,  no !  good  white  man  !  Bad  Peter 
kill  Baldabella !  kill  Nakinna !  " 

It  was  doubly  annoying  to  find  these  troublesome 
natives  were  acquainted  with  the  villanous  bush- 
ranger ;  but  it  was  certain  Baldabella  must  not  be  left 
in  the  power  of  the  wretch,  at  any  cost.  While  he  hes- 
itated what  steps  to  take,  one  of  the  women,  roused  by 
the  cries  of  Nakinna,  went  up  to  the  savage  who  held 
her,  and  spoke  to  him  in  soft,  persuasive  accents,  at  the 
same  time  attempting  to  take  the  child  from  him.  The 
hardened  wretch  put  down  the  child  at  his  feet,  and 
snatching  up  a  club,  struck  the  woman  to  the  earth, 
senseless,  if  not  dead. 

No  longer  able  to  control  his  indignation,  Arthur, 
seeing  a  herd  of  kangaroos  bounding  along  within  reach 
of  a  shot,  directed  the  attention  of  the  man  to  them, 
and  then  fired  his  rifle,  and  shot  a  large  animal  dead. 
Astonishment  and  terror  overcame  the  usual  assumed 


248  THE    RESCUE. 

calmness  of  the  natives,  and  several  of  them  iled  in 
confusion. 

Arthur  then,  pointing  to  the  kangaroo,  and  then  to 
Baldabella,  indicated  his  wish  for  the  exchange,  and  the 
two  men  who  still  held  her  readily  resigned  their  cap- 
tive, and  ran  up  to  take  possession  of  the  more  valuable 
spoil,  followed  by  the  inhuman  chief;  after  he  had,  with 
a  vindictive  countenance,  spurned  the  poor  child  from 
him  with  his  foot.  The  mother  caught  up  her  child  and 
fled  to  her  friends,  prostrated  herself  before  Arthur,  and 
placed  his  foot  on  her  neck  ;  then  rising,  she  resumed  her 
usual  dignified  and  graceful  step,  and  fell  into  the  rank 
with  the  rest  of  the  party,  who  lost  no  time  in  moving 
forward,  after  Margaret  had  seen  that  the  unfortunate 
victim  of  the  chief's  cruelty  was  kindly  attended  to  by 
the  woman  who  was  her  companion. 

"  It  were  a  burning  shame,"  grumbled  Wilkins,  "  to 
let  them  saucy  niggers  take  off  with  that  fine  beast,  and 
have  to  fast  ourselves.  For  ye  see,  Master  Hugh,  that 
shot 's  flayed  away  all  on  'em,  and  it  may  be  long  enough 
afore  we  light  on  'em  again." 

"  Have  some  faith,  my  good  man,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn. 
"  We  have  been  fed  like  the  prophet  in  the  wilderness, 
by  miracle,  let  us  not  fear,  God  will  still  provide  us  with 
food." 

"  At  the  present  moment,"  said  Arthur,  "  it  would  be 
imprudent  to  delay  even  to  seek  provisions.  Our  first 
consideration  must  be  to  move  away  from  this  part  as 
quickly  as  possible,  for  I  suspect  these  people  will  keep 
us  in  sight  as  long  as  they  can." 

"  Ay,  master,"  said  Wilkins,  "  they  '11  need  ye  to  shoot 
beasts  for  'em !  Depend  on  't  they  '11  dog  us." 

This  was  an  uncomfortable  suspicion,  and  Margaret 


FEARS    OF   THE    DESERTS.  249 

and  Arthur  talked  and  pondered  deeply  on  plans  and 
arrangements,  almost  regardless  of  the  brilliant  buds 
and  blossoms  that  enchanted  Mr.  Mayburn.  They 
walked  on  with  regular  and  rapid  steps  over  the  flower- 
strewed  ground,  amidst  the  rich  smell  of  the  foliage  and 
the  flowers  and  the  strange  music  of  the  woods.  Kan- 
garoos and  emus  were  seen  at  some  distance,  but  pru- 
dence forbade  any  delay  for  the  chase,  and  they  made 
no  halt  till  extreme  fatigue  compelled  them  to  rest  on 
the  side  of  a  grassy  hill,  where  the  least  wearied  set  out 
to  search  the  bushes  for  nests.  Some  fine  young  birds 
supplied  them  with  a  good  L  ~H>er;  eggs  were  now 
rarely  found,  but  with  these  Ru.  's  fowls  frequently 
supplied  them. 

"  Where  next  ?  "  asked  Margaret.  "  I  think,  Arthur, 
I  can  distinguish  a  deep-green  line  far  distant  to  the 
south-east.  May  we  not  hope  it  indicates  the  situation 
of  another  river  ?  " 

"  We  have  ever  been  cheered,  thank  God,"  said  -Mr. 
Mayburn,  "  through  all  our  pilgrimage,  with  continued 
benefits.  We  have  never  yet  experienced  the  perils 
and  privations  of  the  desert,  which  has  ever  been  sup- 
posed to  exist  in  the  interior  of  Australia." 

"Travellers  in  South  Australia,"  replied  Arthur, 
"  have  certainly  met  with  those  barren  regions ;  but  in 
this  tropical  country  we  have,  indeed,  enjoyed  all  the 
plenty  which  nature  can  bestow.  At  present  we  need 
water ;  but  in  the  morning  we  will,  if  God  permits,  di- 
rect our  course  to  the  green  belt  we  have  seen.  If  we 
can  again  resume  our  canoe  voyaging,  it  will  be  a  great 
relief  to  us;  and  even  if  the  river  be  dried  up  at 
present,  we  can  take  the  bed  for  our  guide,  and  may 
find  pools  of  water  for  our  daily  use.  But,  my  dear 


250  BUSH-RANGING    LIFE. 

Margaret,  I  am  ashamed  to  say  I  feel  despondent  when 
I  reflect  that  this  is  January ;  the  autumn  rains  may 
soon  come  on,  and  we  have  no  idea  where  we  can  shel- 
ter you  and  dear  papa  from  the  fury  of  tropical  storms." 

"  I  could  soon  run  up  a  bit  of  a  hut,  with  bark  roof- 
ing," said  Jack,  briskly. 

"  I  am  quite  aware  of  that,  Jack,"  answered  Arthur, 
u  and  have  much  reliance  on  your  skill  and  promptness. 
The  great  difficulty  seems  to  be  the  selection  of  a  site 
out  of  the  observation  of  the  treacherous  and  vindictive 
natives ;  or  of  one  whom  I  dread  still  more,  that  vile 
bush-ranger,  who  appears  to  be  tracking  us  for  some 
evil  purpose." 

"  He  has  a  spite  again  me,  that 's  sartain,  Mr.  Ar- 
thur," said  Wilkins.  "  Then,  he  'd  like  to  put  his  hands 
on  that  gun ;  and  there  would  be,  likely,  some  pickings 
of  things  as  would  suit  him,  let  alone  money,  that,  like 
enough,  ye  '11  have  amang  ye." 

""But  what  possible  use  can  the  misguided  man  have 
for  money  in  a  wilderness  among  savages  ?  "  asked  Mr. 
Mayburn,  in  astonishment. 

"  Why,  not  a  deal  of  use  just  hereabouts,"  answered 
Wilkins ;  "  but  ye  ken  nought  about  bush-rangers,  and 
all  their  rounds  and  changes.  If  Peter  had  cash,  he  'd 
be  off  to  some  of  them  far  away  bush  publics ;  and  there 
he  'd  have  a  grand  tuck  out,  till  he  'd  spent  every  rap, 
and  be  fresh  to  set  out  on  a  new  hook.  That 's  bush- 
ranging  life,  master." 

"  And  a  fearful  life  it  is  in  this  world,  Wilkins,"  said 
Mr.  Mayburn  ;  "  but  still  more  fearful  as  a  preparation 
for  the  world  to  come.  Thank  God  that  you  are  res- 
cued from  it,  my  poor  man." 

"  Ay,  I  'se  clear  on 't  now,"  replied  he,  "  thanks  to  ye, 


A   RIVER    IN    THE    WAY.  251 

master ;  and,  God  be  praised,  there 's  no  shame  can 
stick  to  a  fellow  for  turning  round  when  he 's  got  into  a 
slough." 

"Not  at  all,  Wilkins,"  said  his  good  teacher;  "the 
besf-  Christians  have  sinned  and  repented ;  and  to  all  it 
is  said  that  they  must  through  much  tribulation  enter 
the  kingdom  of  God." 

The  heart  of  Wilkins  was  enclosed  in  a  rough  husk, 
but  the  soil  was  not  bad ;  the  seed  that  was  sown  in  it 
was  not  unfruitful,  but  was  slowly  coming  to  maturity. 

Early  in  the  morning  the  pilgrims  took  the  road  to- 
wards the  green  belt  they  had  observed  the  previous 
day ;  and  though  many  tedious  hours  intervened  before 
they  reached  it,  they  were  rewarded  by  discovering  that 
the  belt  of  trees  hung  over  the  banks  of  a  considerable 
river,  narrow,  but  deep,  with  high  rocky  banks,  so  far 
aboye  the  level  of  the  stream  on  the  side  on  which  they 
stood,  that  the  water  which  they  so  much  required  was 
unattainable. 

This  disappointment  was  vexatious,  and  they  con- 
tinued to  pass  along  the  edge  of  the  cliff  for  some  time 
in  melancholy  silence,  till,  at  a  very  narrow  part  of  the 
river,  Jack  stopped,  and,  pointing  to  a  tall  tree  on  the 
edge,  proposed  that  they  should  cut  it  down,  so  that  it 
should  fall  across  the  river  and  form  a  bridge.  This 
would  be  an  undertaking  at  once  tedious  and  hazard- 
ous ;  but  the  advantage  of  placing  the  river  between 
themselves  and  the  inimical  savages  was  obvious,  as  it 
was  improbable  that  they  should  have  the  means  of 
crossing.  It  was  therefore  agreed  that  they  should 
make  the  experiment. 

They  had  found  abundance  of  the  wild  oats  on  the 
plain,  which  were  now  quite  ripe ;  and  Ruth  was  busily 


252  A    BRIDGE. 

employed  in  bruising  the  grain  to  make  biscuits,  while 
Jenny  roasted  potatoes  in  the  ashes,  and  looked  down 
on  the  river  with  longing  eyes,  for  the  tea-shrub  was 
abundant  round  them,  and  nurse  pined  for  her  cup  of 
tea  again.  Leaving  the  women  thus  engaged,  the 
young  woodcutters  commenced  their  operations  with 
their  stone  axes,  though  they  had  failed  to  render  them 
very  sharp,  relieving  each  other  at  intervals  ;  for  in 
truth  the  cutting  down  a  stout  tree  was  not  a  little  tire- 
some. 

But  perseverance  subdues  great  difficulties ;  at  last 
the  tree  fell  majestically,  and  rested  securely  on  the 
opposite  bank.  Then  the  proud  young  workmen  pro- 
ceeded to  lop  the  branches  which  stood  in  the  way,  lev- 
elling and  smoothing  the  trunk  as  much  as  they  were 
able,  and  running  over  it  to  prove  its  security ;  and, 
finally,  Jack  carried  a  rope  across,  attached  to  some  of 
the  erect  boughs,  to  form  a  sort  of  hand-rail  to  satisfy 
the  timid.  With  some  persuasion,  Mr.  Mayburn  was 
so  far  satisfied  of  the  safety  of  the  rude  bridge,  that  he 
suffered  himself  to  be  led  across ;  then  Margaret  and 
the  two  women  were  safely  conducted  over ;  Baldabella 
followed,  looking  with  astonishment  at  their  timidity, 
and  tripping  lightly  along  with  her  child  upon  her 
shoulder. 

When  all  had  crossed,  the  rope  was  withdrawn  and 
coiled  up  again,  and,  with  the  aid  of  levers  and  axes, 
the  bridge  was  broken  and  cast  down,  to  be  floated  away 
by  the  stream,  that  the  savages  might  not  have  the  ad- 
vantage of  it  in  their  pursuit. 

The  banks  on  which  the  travellers  now  stood  were 
less  precipitous  than  those  they  had  left ;  they  were 
clothed  with  bamboos  and  rushes,  and  in  many  places 


VOYAGING    AGAIN.  253 

open  down  to  the  river,  where  they  gladly  procured  the 
water  of  which  they  were  so  much  in  need.  Then  they 
continued  to  walk  along  a  narrow  muddy  strand,  look- 
ing with  longing  eyes  at  the  smooth  water,  on  which  a 
canoe  might  have  been  paddled  with  so  much  less  exer- 
tion than  the  continued  labor  of  walking.  It  would 
soon  be  made,  Jack  declared ;  and,  after  a  night's  rest, 
all  were  ready  to  work,  if  the  work  were  provided  for 
them  —  the  great  point,  as  Jack  said,  being  "  to  fall  on 
the  right  sort  of  tree." 

Before  they  had  finished  another  weary  day's  walk, 
they  had  "  fallen  on  the  right  tree,"  barked  it,  and,  unit- 
ing their  efforts,  formed  and  gummed  two  canoes.  These 
required  a  day  to  be  hardened  for  service,  during  which 
they  made  paddles,  cut  down  the  oat  grass  to  serve  for 
lining  the  canoes,  after  they  had  thrashed  out  the  ripe 
grain.  The  women  baked  biscuits  and  boiled  fish,  with 
which  the  river  abounded,  collected  some  tea-leaves, 
and  finished  provisioning  the  boats. 

Next  morning  they  were  again  seated  in  these  very 
commodious  canoes,  delighted  to  rest  after  all  their  fa- 
tigues ;  for  the  labor  of  paddling  on  the  smooth  river 
was  comparatively  easy.  They  continued  an  uninter- 
rupted voyage  of  many  days,  though  they  several  times 
saw  the  smoke  of  fires  rising  from  the  brush  on  the 
north  bank,  and  sometimes  even  heard  the  coo-ee  of  the 
natives,  which  made  them  apprehensive  that  they  were 
not  unnoticed ;  but  they  satisfied  themselves  that  their 
mode  of  travelling  defied  pursuit.  They  rarely  landed 
more  than  once  a  day,  usually  on  the  south  bank,  where 
they  often  met  with  some  small  tributary  stream,  abound- 
ing in  fish,  and  the  adroit  spearing  of  Baldabella  always 
provided  them  with  an  abundant  supply,  sufficient  for 
22 


254  AWAY   FROM    THE    MARSHES. 

supper  and  breakfast.  This  fish  was  principally  the 
fresh-water  cod,  as  they  named  it,  of  very  large  size. 
Every  morning  after  breakfast,  before  they  embarked, 
they  walked  out  to  look  round  for  some  favorable  spot 
to  which  they  might  retire  during  the  approaching 
rains,  but  in  vain.  Still  the  high  cliffs  continued  on 
one  side  of  the  river ;  and  on  the  side  where  they 
wished  to  remain  they  still  saw  spread  before  them 
marshy  plains. 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

A  Cache.  —  The  Black  Forest.  —  A  Site  for  the  Hut.— The  Eagles.  — 
Gerald's  Accident.  —  A  Subterranean  Grotto.  —  The  Pitcher 
Plant.  —  A  Potato  Ground.  —  The  Fig-tree.  —  Australian  Jum- 
bles.—The  Hungry  Guest. 

THEY  began  at  last  to  be  weary  of  the  monotonous 
voyaging,  and  were  glad,  one  morning,  on  ascending  the 
banks,  to  see  a  change  of  scenery.  The  reedy  swamps 
were  replaced  by  rich  grassy  slopes,  where  tall  trees  and 
bright  creeping  blossoms,  the  fragrant  golden  flower  of 
the  Acacia  and  the  balmy  odor  from  various  trees  of 
the  Eucalyptus  kind,  encouraged  them  to  hope  that  they 
might  find  a  retreat  in  such  a  pleasant  region. 

"Halloo!"  cried  Wilkins.  "Just  all  on  ye  step 
here,  and  take  a  good  look  at  this  here  tree.  We  're 
not  the  first  white  folks  as  has  had  a  look  round  here- 
about. As  sure  as  you  're  there,  Mr.  Arthur,  there  's  a 
catch,  as  they  call 't,  under  this  same  tree.  Look  ye, 
I  kenned  it  all  as  soon  as  ever  I  set  eyes  on  that  there 
criss-cross,  cut  wi'  an  honest  steel  blade,  I'se  warrant  it ; 
and  says  I  to  mysel',  our  own  folks  has  been  here,  and 
we  '11  just  try  a  bit  at  their  diggings ;  that 's  wi'  yer  leave, 
Mr.  Arthur." 

Arthur  hesitated ;  he  certainly  neither  wished  to  com- 
mit, nor  to  connive  at,  a  robbery ;  but  he  considered  some 
information  worth  knowing  might  be  found  in  the  cache. 
He  therefore  sent  to  the  canoes  for  shells,  spades,  and 
knives;  and  all  the  young  men  began  to  dig  with  as 

(255) 


256  THE    CAo^_ 

much  earnestness  and  anxiety  as  if  they  had  been  the 
gold-diggers  in  the  south  of  the  country. 

"  If  we  were  to  find  a  great  nugget  of  gold,"  said 
Gerald. 

"  I  would  rather  find  a  good  saw,"  said  Jack. 

"  Or  an  iron  kettle,"  suggested  Margaret. 

"  I  should  like  a  telescope,"  said  Hugh. 

"  Now,  nurse,  what  will  you  have  ?  "  asked  Arthur. 

"Well  then,  Mr.  Arthur,  honey,  if  I  must  speak," 
answered  nurse,  "  I  would  say  a  barrel  of  flour ;  but  just 
as  God  pleases." 

"  I  feel  it !  I  feel  it !  "  cried  Gerald,  flinging  away  his 
knife  in  his  ecstasy.  "  It  is  something  hard." 

"  Be  very  careful,"  said  Arthur.  "  We  must  not 
damage  the  hidden  stores.  Whatever  can  it  be  ?  here 
are  canisters  and  bags." 

"  It  '11  be  tea  and  sugar,"  cried  Ruth,  clapping  her 
hands  with  delight. 

"  Nay,  nay,  lass,  what  need  for  folks  to  bury  tea  and 
sugar  ?  "  said  Wilkins.  "  Here 's  summut  a  deal  better 
• —  powder  and  shot.  And  see  here,  Mr.  Arthur,  ye  're 
a  scholar ;  this  '11  be  like  her  Majesty's  ship's  name  on 
'em." 

"  There  is,  indeed,"  replied  Arthur, "  and  the  date  when 
they  were  placed  here,  which  is  three  years  ago.  I  fear 
the  owners  will  never  return  to  claim  them  now." 

"All  the  better  for  us,"  said  Wilkins.  "There's 
nought  here  a  bit  worse,  and  it 's  all  fair,  ye  ken,  Mr. 
Arthur.  Finders,  keepers,  all  t'  world  round." 

Arthur  looked  inquiringly  at  his  father. 

"  The  wisdom  of  the  world,  Wilkins,"  said  Mr.  May- 
burn,  "  is  not  always  the  wisdom  of  God.  But,  in  the 
case  of  this  treasure-trove,  Arthur,  as  the  ammunition  is 


POWDER   AND    SHOT.  257 

certainly  the  property  of  her  Majesty,  lying  useless  here, 
I  do  think  —  Margaret,  am  I  right? — I  am  of  opinion 
that  we  may  appropriate  a  part  of  this  valuable  deposit ; 
leaving  in  the  place  a  written  acknowledgment  of  the 
loan.  Then,  if  God  spares  us  to  have  the  opportunity, 
we  must  report  our  trespass  to  the  Government." 

"  I  think  you  are  right, ..dear  papa,"  said  Margaret ; 
"  but  the  temptation  is  so  great,  that  perhaps  we  are 
none  of  us  in  a  state  to  give  impartial  judgment." 

Wilkins,  without  listening  to  a  word  of  the  discussion, 
had  taken  on  himself  the  responsibility  of  the  offence, 
and  was  already  actively  engaged  in  moving  off  the  bags 
and  canisters  to  the  boats. 

"  Not  more  than  we  may  need,  remember,  Wilkins," 
said  Margaret. 

"And  who's  to  say  what  we  may  need,  miss,"  an- 
swered the  man.  "  We  've  mony  a  hundred  mile  to  trot 
yet,  and  some  uglier  customers  than  t'  black  fellows  to 
come  on  afore  we  've  done,  and  that 's  them  ha*ng-gallows 
bush-rangers." 

"  We  will  compromise  with  our  conscience,"  said  Ar- 
thur, "by  taking  away  half  the  store ;  and  papa's  portable 
writing-case  will  supply  us  with  the  means  of  making  a 
brief  statement  and  an  apology." 

The  note  was  written,  enclosed  in  a  bark  case,  and 
attached  to  one  of  the  bags  left  in  the  hole  ;  the  soil  was 
then  restored,  and  the  turf  carefully  replaced,  so  that  no 
trace  of  the  cache  might  attract  the  natives. 

"  They  'd  make  a  bonny  kettle  of  fish,  if  they  did  come 
on  't,"  said  Wilkins  ;  for  ten  to  one  they'd  fling  t'  powder 
on  t'  fire,  and  then  there 'd  not  be  mony  on  'em  left  to 
talk  about  it." 

"  We  must  take  especial  care  to  guard  our  cargo 
22* 


258  TAKING    TO    THE    BUSH. 

against  fire,"  said  Arthur ;  "  and  we  have  also  another 
enemy  to  fear  —  the  water  —  which  might  soon  render 
our  treasure  useless.  Therefore,  the  sooner  we  leave 
the  boats,  and  '  take  to  the  bush,'  as  Wilkins  says,  the 
better.  This  country  certainly  looks  pleasant;  but  I 
should  prefer  a  more  woody  and  sheltered  spot." 

"If  you  look  directly  south,  Arthur,"  said  Hugh, 
"  you  will  see  a  black  spot,  which,  I  take  it,  must  be  a 
thick  forest.  It  would  make  a  good  land-mark  for  us,  if 
we  leave  the  river.  What  do  you  say  ?  must  we  aim 
for  it?" 

Arthur  directed  his  attention  to  Hugh  's  black  forest, 
which  certainly  stood  in  the  way  they  wished  to  go ; 
and  as  there  was  no  appearance  of  smoke,  or  even  of 
former  fires  on  the  plains,  there  was  some  reason  to 
think  the  district  might  not  be  frequented  by  the  sav- 
ages. These  considerations  decided  them  to  abandon 
once  more  the  easy  canoe-voyaging,  and,  with  the 
weighty  addition  to  their  burdens  of  the  ammunition 
from  the  cache,  they  slowly  set  out.  The  plain  was 
covered  with  rich  high  grass  that  would  have  fed 
thousands  of  cattle,  but  was  now  only  tenanted  by  herds 
of  graceful  kangaroos  and  small  detachments  of  tall 
stalking  emus.  The  trees  were  populated  with  swarms 
of  parrots,  cockatoos,  pheasants,  and  small  warblers,  and 
the  air  rang  with  their  mingled  notes,  cheerful  at  least, 
if  not  harmonious. 

When  the  dark  wood  became  fully  visible  to  them, 
Margaret  observed  that  Baldabella  seemed  startled  and 
uneasy,  and  frequently  paused  as  if  reluctant  to  proceed. 
But  when,  after  an  hour's  walk,  the  sombre  thick  for- 
est spread  before  them,  half  a  mile  across,  the  woman 
turned  round  to  Margaret  with  trembling  limbs,  and 


THE   BLACK   FOREST.  259 

said  in  a  faltering  voice,  pointing  to  the  forest,  "  Good 
miss,  no  go;  bad  spirit  kill  all  people;  good  master, 
Baldabella,  all  die.  Bad  spirit  very  angry,  say  no  peo- 
ple go  here." 

Margaret  tried  to  reason  with  the  terrified  woman, 
who  had  now  turned  round  to  flee  with  her  child ;  she 
appeared  to  be  agitated  in  the  highest  degree,  and  when 
the  child  clung  to  Margaret,  who  turned  to  follow  the 
rest,  the  distressed  mother,  wringing  her  hands,  wailed 
in  the  most  pathetic  manner ;  till  at  length,  with  an  air 
of  sudden  resolution,  she  drew  herself  up,  with  her  usual 
dignity,  and  said,  — 

"  Baldabella  die,  not  leave  good  friends,"  and  walked 
calmly  on  by  the  side  of  Margaret. 

Arthur  had  learned  previously  that  the  natives 
regarded  a  dark  wood  with  superstitious  awe ;  but  he 
now  concluded  that  Baldabella  had  some  acquaintance 
with  this  particular  spot,  and  that  it  was  an  object  of 
fear  to  the  natives.  This  was  a  circumstance  which 
would  render  it  still  more  desirable  to  the  travellers  as 
a  place  of  seclusion ;  and  when  they  came  up  close  to 
the  gloomy  forest,  they  did  not  wonder  at  the  supersti- 
tious dread  of  the  ignorant  savages.  It  seemed  as  if 
neither  man  nor  beast,  nor  even  the  light  of  heaven, 
could  penetrate  the  mysterious  spot.  Lofty  trees, 
resembling  the  pine,  the  chestnut  and  the  cypress,  as 
closely  ranged  as  it  was  possible  for  nature  to  plant 
them,  were  so  interwoven  and  matted  together,  for  the 
height  of  eight  or  ten  feet  with  coiled  thorny  shrubs 
and  creeping  plants,  that  they  formed  an  impenetrable 
fortress  that  seemed  to  defy  the  impotent  attacks  of 
man. 

"  I  wonder  which  of  us  is  the  favored  prince  who  is 


2GO  THE    IMPENETRABLE    BARRIER. 

to  *  cut  his  bright  way  through,'  this  enchanted  wood," 
said  Gerald.  "  Here  's  an  adventure,  Hugh  !  Now 
for  knives  and  axes  ! " 

"  Do  not  be  too  hasty,  boys,"  said  Arthur.  "  It 
would  be  prudent  to  make  the  circuit  of  the  wood  first, 
in  order  to  select  the  most  accessible  point.  Besides," 
continued  he,  as  they  walked  on,  "I  think  we  must 
proceed  with  caution.  We  will  cut  a  low  tunnel,  the 
entrance  to  which  can  be  easily  closed,  if  we  find  it  pos- 
sible to  remain  here  for  a  short  season ;  and  thus  we 
shall  leave  no  trace  of  our  presence." 

"  I  shall  be  well  content  to  remain  here,"  said  Mr. 
Mayburn,  "amidst  these  noble  and  curious  trees  and 
shrubs.  To  study  their  varieties  will  sufficiently  occupy 
and  amuse  me." 

"  And  I  shall  be  satisfied  to  live  in  a  hut,"  said  Mar- 
garet, "  however  rude  it  may  be,  where  we  can  have 
rest  and  peace  ;  where  we  can  repair  our  tattered  gar- 
ments, and  perhaps  make  new  boots  to  replace  the.-e 
worn  fragments.  But  I  fear  our  abode  in  the  forest 
must  be  gloomy  and  depressing." 

"We  can  build  a  nest  in  the  trees,"  said  Gerald, 
"  as  the  people  did  in  the  Swiss  Family  Robinson,  and 
live  in  the  cheerful  society  of  parrots  and  cockatoos. 
That  looks  like  the  very  fig-tree  the  family  inhabited ; 
let  us  choose  it.  See,  it  is  covered  with  ripe  figs  that 
look  very  tempting.  I  should  like  to  climb  for  some." 

"  The  fig-tree  will  not  fly  away,  Gerald,"  said  Arthur, 
"  and  just  now  we  must  all  have  more  important  em- 
ployment. We  must  immediately  commence  our  tunnel, 
for  the  air  is  more  sultry  than  ever,  and  I  have  fancied 
more  than  once  that  I  have  heard  the  distant  roll  of 
thunder.  I  sincerely  wish  we  had  a  shelter  at  hand.  I 


SCENE    OF    BEAUTY.  2G1 

must  call  on  you,  my  friends,  to  halt  at  once.     We  will 
try  this  point." 

The  part  of  the  wood  before  which  they  had  arrived, 
though  quite  impervious,  was  less  thorny  than  any  part 
they  had  yet  passed,  and  therefore  more  easy  to  work, 
and  they  began  to  cut  down  the  entangled  brush-wood 
for  about  four  feet  in  height,  and  wide  enough  to  admit 
the  passage  of  one  person  "only.  The  lopped  branches 
were  carefully  collected,  to  be  removed  to  the  interior 
of  the  wood,  when  the  path  was  completed ;  but  their 
labor  was  long  and  tedious,  for  the  forest  could  not  be 
less  than  fifty  yards  in  breadth.  Fortunately  after 
piercing  it  for  twenty  yards,  they  found  the  underwood 
less  rank  and  entangled,  and  were  satisfied  with  tramp- 
lino-  it  down  to  make  the  road  smoother  for  the  women. 

O 

This  wood  terminated  finally  in  a  glade  of  extraordi- 
nary beauty,  richly  clothed  with  grass  and  studded  with 
the  gorgeous  flowers  of  the  tropical  regions.  This 
glade  spread  before  them  level  for  some  distance,  then 
gradually  sloped  upwards,  thickly  grown  with  wild  oats, 
and  then  with  brush,  to  a  great  height,  the  whole  form- 
ing an  isolated  mountain,  which  was  apparently  flat  at 
the  summit. 

The  young  boys  declared  this  must  be  the  very  abode 
of  enchantment ;  and  as  the  ascent  was  a  succession  of 
green  terraces,  they  were  all  able,  with  some  fatigue,  but 
with  little  difficulty,  to  attain  the  highest  ridge,  when 
they  saw,  with  some  astonishment,  that  a  few  feet  below 
them  lay  a  basin  or  crater,  covered  with  verdure  —  tall 
grass  mingled  with  the  usual  thick  brush. 

After  gazing  on  it  for  a  few  minutes,  Hugh  said, 
"  What  a  capital  place  for  our  hut.  Margaret  cannot 
call  this  height  gloomy,  for,  by  mounting  the  ridge,  we 


262  THE    EAGLES. 

can  look  over  the  forest  and  survey  the  whole  country 
round  us.  Then  the  flowers  are  so  gay  and  pleasant, 
and  we  shall  see  multitudes  of  birds.  Do  look,  papa, 
at  those  two  superb  eagles  that  are  soaring  above  our 
heads,  and  that  doubtless  have  their  eyrie  someAvhere  in 
this  mountain." 

But  while  they  were  gazing  at  the  birds,  O'Brien, 
who  stood  at  some  distance  from  them,  was  making 
ready  his  bow,  and  before  they  were  aware  of  it  he  had 
skilfully  sent  an  arrow  into  one  of  the  eagles,  which 
fell  fluttering  and  screaming  among  the  brushwood. 

"Victory!  victory!"  he  cried,  looking  round  for 
Mr.  Mayburn.  "  Did  you  see  me  shoot  the  eagle, 
papa  ?  " 

"  I  saw  and  admired  the  magnificent  creatures, 
Gerald,"  answered  Mr.  Mayburn ;  "  and  I  deeply 
grieved  to  see  one  fall  by  your  hand.  It  was  no  victory, 
but  a  wanton  cruelty.  You  have  destroyed  the  noble 
bird  for  no  useful  purpose,  and  my  heart  is  afflicted  to 
observe  the  distress  of  the  attached  mate.  See  how 
he  circles  round  the  spot  which  has  left  him  bereaved 
and  lamenting.  I  am  forcibly  reminded  of  the  power- 
ful words  of  one  of  our  modern  classical  poets,  who,  in 
describing  such  a  tragical  bereavement,  writes,  — 

'  She  whom  he  mourns 
Lies  dying,  with  the  arrow  in  her  side, 
In  some  far  stony  gorge,  out  of  his  ken, 
A  heap  of  fluttering  feathers  :  never  more 
Shall  the  lake  glass  her  flying  over  it ; 
Never  the  black  and  dripping  precipices 
Echo  her  stormy  scream  as  she  sails  by ! ' " 

"  I  thought  you  would  have  liked  to  possess  the  bird, 
papa,"  said  Gerald,  "and  I  am  really  sorry  for  the 


GERALD'S  ACCIDENT.  263 

widowed  mate,  I  feel  quite  uncomfortable  to  see  the 
old  fellow  soaring  round  me  and  uttering,  I  have  no  doubt, 
violent  abuse.  But  I  may  as  well  recover  my  game, 
that  you  may  gratify  your  curiosity  by  examining  an 
Australian  eagle." 

"  I  saw  it  fall  just  behind  yon  yellow-flowered  shrub, 
which  looks  so  like  our  own  English  furze,"  said  Hugh. 

Gerald  dashed  forward  into  the  bush  to  search  for  his 
prize,  while  Margaret  and  her  father  examined  with 
great  satisfaction  the  rich  table-land,  and  Jack  pointed 
out  a  favorable  site  for  a  wattled,  bark-roofed  hut, 
which,  he  asserted,  might  be  easily  constructed  in  a 
couple  of  days.  But  while  they  were  discussing  this  im- 
portant affair,  they  were  alarmed  by  a  loud  cry  from 
Gerald,  "  Help,  help  !  the  enchanter  has  got  rne  !  Come, 
Arthur,  by  yourself,  and  throw  me  a  rope ! " 

All  were  in  alarm,  and  where  to  throw  the  rope  was 
the  question,  for  the  boy  was  not  to  be  seen.  Arthur 
and  Jack,  with  a  pole  and  ropes,  stepped  lightly  over  the 
bushes,  expecting  to  find  Gerald  plunged  in  a  marsh. 
His  cries  directed  them  to  a  spot,  where  they  saw  only 
his  head  and  one  arm  clinging  to  a  bush. 

" Take  care  what  you  are  about,"  said  he ;  "I  have 
slipped  into  a  hole,  and  perhaps  there  may  be  more  like 
it.  You  had  better  just  slide  the  pole  along  till  I  can 
catch  it,  and  then,  perhaps,  I  may  manage  to  raise  my- 
self. The  worst  is,  I  hear  that  furious  eagle,  fluttering 
and  hissing  just  below  me,  and  I  am  every  moment  in 
fear  lest  she  should  attack  me,  and  peck  my  legs  to 
revenge  her  wrongs." 

With  the  aid  of  the  rope  and  the  pole,  and  the  exer- 
tions of  his  friends,  Gerald  scrambled  to  a  safe  spot  in 
the  bushes,  and  then  they  all  took  a  survey  of  the  cave, 


2G4  THE    SUBTERRANEAN    CAVE. 

or  grotto,  that  lay  below  ;  and  were  so  much  interested 
by  it,  that  they  resolved  to  explore  it  at  once.  Jack 
volunteered  to  make  the  first  expedition,  and  began  by 
attaching  the  rope  to  a  stout  bush  to  facilitate  his 
descent,  and  taking  with  him  the  pole  to  test  the  security 
of  the  ground  below. 

The  floor  of  the  cave  was  not  more  than  twelve  feet 
below  the  opening,  and  Jack  looked  round  to  find 
himself  in  a  large  grotto,  floored  with  dry  white  sand  ; 
the  rocky  sides  were  garlanded  with  creeping  plants, 
and  it  was  lighted  by  many  apertures  above,  similar  to 
that  through  which  Gerald  had  fallen,  and,  like  that, 
almost  covered  with  brushwood.  Dark  branch-caves 
ran  from  this  airy  grotto,  into  which  they  penetrated 
for  a  few  yards,  to  satisfy  themselves  that  it  was  unin- 
habited; and,  from  the  observations  he  made,  Arthur 
could  not  but  believe  the  whole  was  of  volcanic  origin, 
and,  in  fact,  a  portion  of  the  crater  of  an  exhausted 
volcano. 

"  We  may  find  a  capital  magazine  here  for  the  pow- 
der," said  Jack  ;  "  and  this  light  part  will  make  a  kitchen 
for  the  women  folks  while  we  are  building  the  hut. 
Think  you,  Mr.  Arthur,  I  should  make  them  a  ladder  ? 
They  '11  hardly  like  swinging  down  by  a  rope." 

Arthur  thought  they  would  certainly  not  like  such  a 
mode  of  descent,  and  the  ladder  was  decided  on.  Then 
he  ventured  to  draw  near  the  screaming  eagle  to  en- 
deavor to  extract  the  arrow  from  his  wing,  but  the  bird 
made  such  fierce  returns  for  his  kindness,  that  he  was 
compelled  to  retreat,  and  wait  for  a  more  favorable 
moment  for  the  operation ;  and  in  the  mean  time,  the 
youths  ascended  to  report  the  discovery  of  the  cave. 

Wilkins    had   been   employed  in  cutting   down    and 


THE    PITCHER-PLANT.  265 

bringing  up  the  ascent  a  quantity  of  the  wild  oats,  and 
Margaret  and  her  father  were  found  standing  by  a  pool 
of  clear  water,  which,  though  now  somewhat  shallow, 
would  doubtless  contain  an  abundant  supply  after  the 
rain.  Around  this  pond  Mr.  Mayburn  had  found  many 
new  and  beautiful  flow*ers,  and,  as  soon  as  he  was  satisfied 
of  O'Brien's  safety,  he  hastened  to  point  out  one  of  his 
most  valued  acquisitions. 

"  Observe,  my  dear  children,"  said  he,  "  one  of  the 
most  curious  plants  ever  discovered,  Cephalotus  follicu- 
laris,  one  of  the  pitcher-plants,  so  named  from  the 
peculiar-form  of  the  delicate  white  blossoms.  You 
perceive  that  these  pitchers  on  the  strong  footstalk 
contain  water — -in  this  are  some  drowned  insects. 
Hence,  some  writers  have  asserted  that  these  flowers  are 
used  by  the  larger  insects  of  prey  as  receptacles  for  their 
food.  But  we  must  see  that  this  accumulated  moisture 
is  to  preserve  the  plant  in  its  beauty  during  the  long 
dry  season." 

"  Could  we  not  plant  potatoes  here  ?  "  asked  Margaret. 
"  In  this  genial  climate  we  might  soon  raise  a  crop,  and 
our  stock  is  now  very  low." 

"  Of  course  we  can,  Meggie,"  said  Hugh.  "  I  under- 
stand the  habits  of  our  solanum.  This  light,  dry,  fresh 
soil  will  exactly  suit  it.  Come,  Gerald,  let  us  lose  no 
time  in  marking  off  and  clearing  our  potato-ground, 
before  the  rains  stop  us.  That  will  be  more  useful  than 
shooting  eagles." 

They  were  all  gratified  with  the  discovery  of  the  cave, 

and  anxious  to  see  it,  but  were  induced  to  wait  till  a 

ladder  was  made,  which  was  to  be  commenced  as  soon  as 

a  party  had  returned  to  the  wood  to  fill  up  the  mouth 

23 


266  AUSTRALIAN   JUMBLES. 

of  the  tunnel.  For  this  purpose  they  used  part  of  the 
lopped  branches,  which  they  arranged  so  artfully,  that 
no  one  could  suspect  a  breach  had  been  made.  The 
remainder  of  the  brushwood  was  to  be  conveyed  up  the 
mountain  for  firewood. 

After  this,  Hugh  and  Gerald'  made  a  foray  in  an 
immense  fig-tree,  dispersing  the  feathered  tenants,  and 
carrying  off  a  large  stock  of  the  ripe  fruit.  The  rest 
returned,  laden  with  firewood  and  wild  oats.  Then 
Jenny  made  them  some  tea,  and  cakes  of  bruised  oats, 
mixed  with  the  plentiful  but  insipid  juice  of  the  figs. 
These  cakes  were  baked  in  the  ashes,  and  much  enjoyed 
by  the  ever  keenly  hungry  boys,  who  named  the  dark 
hard  biscuits  Australian  jumbles. 

Before  night  should  put  an  end  to  their  labors,  Jack 
and  the  young  boys  cut  down  a  slender  tree,  resembling 
the  pine,  to  make  a  ladder  ;  and  Margaret,  with  the  help 
of  Wilkins,  pared  off  the  turf,  dug  a  large  plot  of 
ground,  and  planted  it  with  potatoes.  Then,  worn  out 
with  a  day  of  extreme  toil,  the  wayfarers  rested  beneath 
a  threatening  sky,  in  the  heated  atmosphere  which  indi- 
cated an  approaching  storm. 

A  few  drops  of  rain  at  daybreak  roused  up  the  whole 
family  to  prompt  activity. 

"  It 's  no  time  to  start  and  build  to-day,"  said  Wilkins. 
"  Wait  a  bit ;  here 's  a  storm  ower  our  heads ;  or,  if  ye 
want  work,  what  say  ye  to  sinking  yon  bit  pond  a  foot 
deeper  ?  it  holds  nought,  and  when  t'  rain  falls  it  '11 
overflow  and  half  drown  us,  if  we  don't  mind." 

Arthur  thought  it  was  a  more  prudent  plan  to  dig 
another  pond  or  reservoir,  rather  deeper  than  the  origi- 
nal one,  and  make  a  channel  between  the  two.  They 


THE    EXTINCT    VOLCANO.  267 

should  thus  secure  a  supply  of  water,  and  prevent 
their  potato  ground  from  being  washed  away  by  a  sud- 
den flood. 

"  And,  now  that  the  ladder  is  finished,"  said  Marga- 
ret. "  it  would  be  better  that  papa  and  I  should  descend 
at  once  into  this  subterranean  grotto,  and  make  it  ready 
for  our  temporary  abode,  till  you  are  able  to  build  a 
hut ;  for  there  is  certainly  a  prospect  of  rain  falling 
to-day." 

"  Come  along,"  cried  Gerald,  "  that  I  may  usher  you 
into  my  newly-discovered  dominions.  Now,  Ruth,  we 
shall  have  you  safe  ;  you  will  have  few  opportunities  of 
committing  mischief  when  you  are  below  the  earth. 
Come  and  descend  into  the  burning  mountain,  and  take 
care  you  don't  fight  with  my  eagle." 

"  Oh  !  master,  is 't  true  —  is 't  a  burning  mountain  ?  " 
asked  Ruth,  in  terror. 

"It  has  been  a  volcano,"  answered  Mr.  Mayburn, 
"  but,  in  all  probability,  exhausted,  hundreds  of  years 
ago.  It  is  now,  as  you  see,  a  beautiful  wilderness." 

Ruth  did  not  regard  the  beauty  of  the  spot ;  she  saw 
only,  in  her  mind's  eye,  the  red  flames  pouring  from 
Mount  Vesuvius,  as  depicted  in  a  gaudy  picture-book 
she  had  seen  in  her  childhood. 

"  Oh,  please,  Miss  Marget,"  she  exclaimed,  "  stay  up 
here  !  don't  go  down  into  that  hole  ;  it  '11,  maybe,  break 
out  again,  and  we  '11  all  be  burnt  alive." 

But  Margaret  remonstrated,  the  boys  laughed  and 
Jenny  scolded ;  and,  finally,  Jack  brought  Ruth  down 
to  the  range  of  subterranean  apartments,  where  Mar- 
garet and  Jenny  soon  planned  dormitories,  kitchen, 
and  store-rooms.  A  large  alcove  was  to  be  the  chapel, 
and  the  light  bowery  grotto  beneath  the  entrance  was  to 


2G8  A    SUBTERRANEAN    DWELLING. 

be  the  drawing-room,  —  at  least,  till  the  heavy  rains 
should  compel  them  to  seek  more  effectual  shelter. 
Here  they  collected  stones  for  seats,  and  rolled  into  the 
midst  a  large  piece  of  rock  for  a  table,  upon  which  was 
spread  the  breakfast  of  tea  and  oat-cakes,  at  present 
their  only  provision. 

Mr.  Mayburn  was  delighted  to  have  the  opportunity 
of  inspecting  so  nearly  the  wounded,  but  still  fierce 
eagle,  with  its  shining  black  plumage ;  and  he  judged  it 
was  that  known  as  Aquila  Fucoso.  It  was  in  vain, 
however,  to  attempt  a  close  examination  till  Wilkins 
and  Jack,  after  some  struggling,  and  a  few  severe  pecks, 
succeeded  in  holding  it  till  Arthur  extracted  the  arrow 
from  the  wing* and  saw  that  nature  would  probably  heal 
the  wound  in  a  few  days.  In  the  mean  time  the  bird 
was  starving,  for  it  rejected  with  disdain  the  farina- 
ceous food  offered  to  it;  and  Hugh  and  Gerald  prom- 
ised, as  soon  as  the  reservoir  was  completed,  to  set 
out  and  shoot  some  small  birds  or  opossums,  for  their 
hungry  guest. 


CHAPTER    XX. 

The  Reservoir.  —  The  Rains.  —  The  Native  Companion.  —  The 
Employments  of  Prison  Life.'—  The  Unlucky  Chase.  —  Jack's 
Tale  of  Trouble.  —  Black  Peter's  Temptations.  —  The  Release  of 
the  Eagle.  —  The  Rescue  Party. 

THE  reservoir  was  six  feet  deep  and  ten  feet  in  diam- 
eter, and  was  lined  with  flat  stones  from  the  interior 
of  the  cave,  where  large  slabs  were  scattered  round. 
This  was  not  completed  in  one  day,  and  'on  the  second 
morning,  while  Wilkins  arid  Jack  finished  the  work, 
and,  after  digging  a  trench,  laid  down  a  spout  of  bark 
between  the  ponds,  Hugh  and  Gerald  went  down  to  the 
wood  below,  to  shoot  birds.  But  before  the  end  of  the 
day  the  workmen  were  driven  to  shelter  by  the  violent 
rain  ;  and  the  two  boys  returned,  drenched  to  the  skin, 
and  laden  with  pheasants,  cockatoos,  and  a  wild  turkey, 
as  large  as  an  English  Christmas  turkey,  and  resem- 
bling that  bird  so  much,  that  the  name  was  considered 
not  inappropriate.  They  had,  thus,  a  handsome  dinner 
for  themselves,  and  abundance  of  food  for  the  hungry 
and  somewhat  tamed  eagle. 

They  were  seated  at  their  late  repast  when  the  storm 
began  in  earnest ;  tremendous  peals  of  thunder  rolled 
through  the  immense  hollows  of  the  mountain,  and 
seemed  to  shake  the  very  rocks  from  their  foundation. 
Ruth  screamed  and  looked  round  in  distraction,  expect- 
ing the  eruption  of  the  volcano  was  at  hand ;  and  even 
the  proud  eagle  trembled  to  hear  the  voice  of  the  skies. 
Then  the  rain  came  down  in  torrents,  showering 

23*  (269) 


270  THE    WILD    TURKEY. 

through  the  leafy  coverings  of  numerous  apertures 
above  them,  and  driving  them  back  into  the  gloomy 
security  of  the  solid  rocks  ;  grateful  for  even  that  dismal 
retreat  in  the  sudden  storm. 

"  We  need  not  remain  in  the  dark,  though  we  are  in 
the  crypt,"  said  Hugh.  "  Come,  Gerald,  let  us  light 
some  flambeaux,  and  fix  them  on  the  walls ;  then,  with 
all  these  trailing  garlands  suspended  from  above,  we 
may  fancy  ourselves  in  a  ball-room." 

The  caverns  were  lighted  up,  and  then  every  one 
found  employment.  Mr.  Mayburn  produced  the  head 
and  neck  of  the  turkey,  which  he  contemplated  with 
much  interest. 

"  It  certainly  must  be  the  bird  described  as  the  Wat- 
tled Talegalla,  Arthur,"  said  he,  "  and  which  is  consid- 
ered to  represent  the  turkey  in  Australia ;  the  red  skin 
of  the  head,  bright  orange  wattle,  and  large  dispropor- 
tionate feet,  prove  the  fact ;  and  I  am  gratified  that  you 
have  obtained  a  specimen  of  it." 

"  We  are  all  gratified,  papa,"  said  Margaret,  "  for  it  is 
the  most  useful  and  delicious  bird  we  have  yet  found  in 
this  ornithological  paradise." 

The  boys  employed  themselves  in  thrashing  the  wild 
oats,  storing  the  grain  in  bags,  and  then  arranging  the 
straw  for  mattrasses  —  a  perfect  luxury  to  them,  after 
they  had  for  so  long  slept  on  the  bare  ground.  They 
had  their  knives  and  axes,  and  abundant  material  in  the 
boughs  and  spare  pieces  of  the  tree  that  was  cut  down 
for  the  ladder ;  and,  to  fill  up  the  time,  Jack  presided 
over  a  school  of  art,  where  the  ingenious  and  active 
employed  heads  and  hands,  and  produced  some  articles 
of  great  use.  Margaret  took  the  opportunity  to  teach 
lessons  of  civilization  and  religion  to  the  lively  little 


THE    NATIVE    COMPANION.  271 

Nakinna,  and,  through  the  child,  poured  the  words  of 
truth  into  the  heart  of  the  mother.  Wilkins,  who  was 
miserable  when  unemployed,  good-naturedly  assisted 
Jenny  and  Ruth  in  various  household  matters,  made  a 
stone  hearth  for  the  fire,  helped  to  cook,  piled  up  the 
dry  fuel,  contrived  a  wattled  niche  for  the  fowls,  and 
went  out  through  the  ram  to  bring  in  water,  when 
needed. 

Three  or  four  days  were  thus  passed  in  contented 
seclusion,  the  storm  still  continuing  unabated;  then, 
though  the  rain  fell  incessantly,  the  prisoners  began  to 
be  weary,  and  to  have  a  great  desire  to  visit  the  world 
above.  They  engaged  to  bring  in  fresh  provisions,  if 
Jenny  would  provide  dry  clothes  for  them  on  their 
return  from  their  foraging  expedition ;  and  with  bow?, 
arrows,  axes,  and  game-bags,  Wilkins,  Jack,  and  the 
three  boys  set  out,  delighted  to  return  to  the  light,  and 
to  the  pure  air  of  heaven,  and  enjoying  even  the  cool 
rain. 

"  Do,  Arthur,  look  at  those  tall  birds  with  the  crimson 
crest  an«]  huge  wooden-looking  beak,"  said  Hugh. 
"  One  of  them  would  be  as  useful  as  the  turkey  was,  for 
a  dinner  dish.  I  suppose  we  must  call  them  storks ; 
though  they  are  really,  to  us,  among  the  anonymous 
creatures  of  this  strange  new  world." 

"  Ye  may  find  t'  like  of  them  all  over,"  said  Wilkins. 
"  Folks  down  at  t'  colony  calls  'em  *  native  companions  ; ' 
they  trust  ye,  poor  rogues,  as  if  ye  were  their  brother ; 
ye  might  just  walk  up  to  yon  fellows,  and  wring  their 
necks." 

"Which  I  should  certainly  object  to  do,  Wilkins," 
answered  Hugh.  u  I  could  not  make  up  my  mind  to 
wring  the  neck,  or  to  feed  on,  'mine  own  familial* 


272  THE    IRON-BARK. 

friend.'  We  will  be  content  to  reduce  the  multitude  of 
the  noisy  impertinent  cockatoos  and  parrots  ;  or  suppose, 
Arthur,  we  descend  to  the  glade  below,  where  we  can 
cut  more  wood,  and  shoot  some  opossums  for  our  aqui- 
line guest.  The  skins  will  make  us  splendid  cloaks  to 
wear  this  rainy  season." 

And,  careless  of  the  wet  plunge,  the  joyous  youths 
descended  through  the  brushwood,  and  reaching  the 
verdant  glade,  they  shot  as  many  opossums  as  they 
wished  ;  filled  some  bags  with  ripe  figs,  and  finally,  after 
a  long  chase,  and  many  a  fall  on  the  moist  slippery 
ground,  they  secured  a  wandering  kangaroo  of  large 
size,  which,  in  distress  of  weather,  had  by  some  means 
found  its  way  into  this  enclosed  retreat. 

Jack  had  in  the  mean  time  barked  a  tree  of  the 
Eucalyptus  species,  and  tying  the  cumbrous  spoil  with  a 
rope,  he  drew  it  after  him  up  the  mountain.  Wilkins 
shouldered  the  kangaroo,  and  the  rest,  equally  laden, 
toiled  through  the  bushy,  moist,  sloping  wood,  and 
arrived  safely  at  the  cave,  to  diffuse  amusement  and 
contentment  among  their  expecting  friends,  and  to  fur- 
nish more  employment  for  their  enforced  leisure  time. 
They  were  all  invested  in  dry  garments ;  then  Jack  ex- 
amined his  prize,  and  said,  — 

"  Just  look  at  this  bark,  Mr.  Arthur.  I  have  seen 
none  yet  so  firm  and  hard ;  it  is  completely  an  inch 
plank,  fit  for  any  sort  of  work.  I  could  make  a  light 
wagon  of  it,  if  we  had  any  animals  to  draw  it ;  and, 
anyhow,  I  '11  set  about  a  table  and  some  seats,  directly, 
and  then  I  '11  try  some  buckets,  and  dishes,  and  such-like 
things.  Now 's  the  time  for  work,  when  there 's  no 
walking." 

For  many  days  the  ample  supply  of  provisions,  and 


A    KANGAROO    HUNT.  273 

the  amusement  of  occupation,  reconciled  the  young  men 
to  the  gloomy  seclusion  of  their  retreat.  During  this 
time  a  square  piece  of  bark,  flattened  and  smoothed 
with  sharp  stones,  was  placed  on  four  posts,  for  a  ta- 
ble ;  long  slips  similarly  supported,  formed  stools  and 
benches.  Trenchers,  dishes,  buckets,  and  bowls,  cer- 
tainly somewhat  rude  in  form,  were  next  finished,  the 
gum  which  exuded  from  many  trees  near  them  sup- 
plying them  plentifully  with  an  admirable  cement. 
There  is  a  charm  to  civilized  minds  in  being  surrounded 
with  the  appliances  and  arrangements  of  domestic  life ; 
and  the  women  became  reconciled,  and  even  attached 
to  their  monotonous  existence  —  especially  when  an 
occasional  cessation  of  rain  permitted  them  to  live  in 
the  front  portion  of  the  cave,  which  was  rendered 
pleasant  and  cheerful  by  the  subdued  light  through  the 
foliage. 

A  day  of  fair  weather  tempted  the  young  men  to 
leave  their  confinement,  and  not  only  to  descend  to  the 
enclosed  glade  below,  but  to  venture  to  break  through 
the  charmed  circle  of  the  wood,  and  have  a  scamper 
over  the  plains  after  the  kangaroos  and  emus  which 
frequented  it.  And  on  the  margin  of  a  chain  of  pools, 
newly  filled  by  the  recenTrains,  they  once  more  saw  the 
tall  native  companion,  amid  swarms  of  wild  ducks; 
while,  from  among  the  wild  oats  whirred  flocks  of  small 
beautiful  birds  resembling  the  quail,  but  with  an  ele- 
gant crest. 

They  filled  their  game-bags  with  birds,  and  a  troop 
of  kangaroos  appearing  in  sight,  they  were  tempted  to 
pursue  them  for  a  considerable  time.  At  last  the  ani- 
mals sought  refuge  in  a  spreading  thick  wood,  into 
which  Wilkins  and  Jack,  with  axes  and  spears,  followed 


274  DISPERSION    OF    THE    HUNTERS. 

them.  The  young  boys  in  the  mean  time  were  engaged 
in  chasing  a  pair  of  emus  ;  till,  weary  and  unsuccessful, 
they  turned  away  in  disappointment,  to  join  the  kanga- 
roo hunters.  But  just  at  that  moment  they  were  struck 
with  the  vexatious  sound  of  the  coo-ee  of  the  natives, 
which  proceeded  from  the  wood  where  the  kangaroos 
had  sheltered.  This  alarming  cry  decided  them  —  es- 
pecially as  Arthur  was  without  his  rifle  —  to  return 
without  delay,  that  they  might  close  the  tunnel  entrance 
of  their  abode. 

Keeping  as  much  as  possible  under  the  shelter  of  the 
trees,  they  quickly  made  their  way  over  the  plains  to 
the  Black  Forest,  Gerald  frequently  looking  back ;  at 
last  he  said,  "  Jack  and  Wilkins  are  not  yet  in  sight, 
shall  I  turn  back  to  seek  them,  Arthur,  or  must  I  give 
them  a  halloo  ?  " 

"  Neither,  my  dear  fellow,"  answered  Arthur.  "  How- 
ever unkind  it  may  seem,  we  must  not  risk  the  discov- 
ery of  our  retreat  by  attracting  the  natives  to  our  heels. 
Wilkins  and  Jack  must  have  heard  the  coo-ee  as  well 
as  we  ;  and  have  most  likely  hid  themselves  till  the 
savages  have  passed  and  they  can  return  to  us  safely. 
We  must  keep  open,  but  guard,  the  entrance  till  we  see 
them  return.  Now,  go  on,  boys  ;  take  the  game-bags 
to  the  cave,  and  then  quietly  bring  away  my  rifle  and 
cartridge-case,  without  saying  a  word  about  this  vexa- 
tious incident.  Till  you  return  I  will  conceal  myself 
behind  the  bushes,  and  watch  for  the  return  of  our  two 
absentees." 

The  boys  hastened  to  the  cave,  to  fulfil  their  mission  ; 
and  leaving  their  bags,  which  contained  some  of  the 
pretty  quails,  to  divert  the  attention  of  Mr.  Mayburn 
and  Margaret,  they  returned  to  watch  silently  and  anx- 


THE    RETURN    OF   JACK.  275 

iously,  reaJy  to  close  the  entrance  as  soon  as  their 
friends  returned,  or  if  they  should  be  alarmed  by  the 
approach  of  the  natives.  Gerald  climbed  a  tree,  that 
he  might  command  the  plains  more  effectually,  and, 
from  this  elevated  situation,  he  startled  Arthur  by  cry- 
ing out,  — 

« Oh,  Arthur !  he  is  killed !  I  know  he  is  killed ! 
Dear  old  fellow,  we  shall  never  see  him  more  !  There 
is  only  Jack." 

"Who  is  killed?  What  do  you  see?  Do  speak 
plainly,  Gerald,"  said  Arthur,  hastily. 

"  I  see  him  coming  by  himself,"  answered  the  dis- 
tracted boy.  "  I  mean  I  see  Jack  ;  not  Wilkins^  It 's 
quite  sure  they  must  have  killed  him  ;  Jack  never 
would  have  left  him,  if  he  was  living." 

The  two  boys  below  were  now  almost  as  much  agi- 
tated as  Gerald,  for  they  plainly  saw  Jack  hurrying 
across  the  plain  alone,  and  when  he  drew  near,  Arthur 
was  quite  sure,  from  his  pale  and  sorrowful  counte- 
nance, that  some  heavy  misfortune  had  occurred.  He 
plunged  into  the  open  tunnel,  and  then  said,  "  Close  it 
directly  if  you  please,  Mr.  Arthur  ;  I  am  so  bad,  I  can 
do  nothing." 

"But  Wilkins!  where  is  "Wilkins,  Jack?"  asked 
Hugh. 

Jack  burst  into  tears  as  he  said,  "  Oh,  Master  Hugh ! 
the  bad  rogues  have  got  him  ;  and  all  I  could  think  on, 
I  could  n't  help  him." 

"  Are  there  any  hopes  ?  Do  you  think  they  will 
murder  him  ?  "  asked  Arthur,  trembling. 

"  I  think  not,  Mr.  Arthur,"  answered  Jack  ;  "  but  I  '11 
tell  you  all  about  it  as  soon  as  we  've  closed  up  this  gap, 
and  tried  to  keep  them  safe  that  are  left." 


276  THE    CAPTURE    OF    WILKINS, 

The  distressed  boys  hastened  to  restore  the  barrier 
with  particular  care  ;  and  then,  as  they  slowly  pro- 
ceeded homeward,  Jack  related  his  melancholy  adven- 
ture. 

"  We  had  got  quite  into  the  thick  of  the  wood  after 
that  unlucky  capering  beast,  when  all  at  once  that  queer 
call  of  the  black  fellows  rung  into  our  ears.  *  We  're  in 
for  it  now,  and  no  mistake,  my  lad,'  said  Wilkins  to  me. 
'  Just  you  thrust  yourself  into  that  cover,  and  I  '11  listen 
a  bit,  to  make  out  their  whereabouts.'  I  forced  myself 
into  a  thicket,  matted  together,  for  about  six  feet  up- 
wards, as  thick  as  this  wood  round  us.  You  had  to 
fight  for  every  inch  of  way  ;  and  I  kept  thinking  all 
along  that  he  was  following  me,  but  he  was  not.  You 
know,  Mr.  Arthur,  he  is  a  good  bit  stouter  than  I  am, 
and  my  fancy  is  that  he  had  fought  and  rustled  among 
the  bushes  till  he  'd  been  found  out  ;  for  first  I  heard  a 
dog  growl,  and  then  I  heard  his  voice,  speaking  such 
words  as  he  has  never  said  of  late  —  an  oath,  Mr.  Ar- 
thur ;  then  followed  such  yells !  and  I  knew  they  had 
got  him. 

"  Well,  my  first  thought  was  to  make  my  way  out, 
that  I  might  help  him  ;  but  just  then  I  got  a  sight  of  all 
the  gang  of  them  through  the  bushes.  There  could  not 
be  less  than  a  hundred ;  and,  worst  of  all,  though  he 
was  naked,  and  painted  like  a  savage,  I  made  out  at 
once  that  bad  fellow,  Black  Peter,  among  them.  Four 
men  had  hold  of  Wilkins.  They  had  taken  away  his 
knife  and  spears,  and  Peter  was  taunting  him,  as  they 
pulled  him  along.  I  heard  him  say,  '  Thou  wast  a  fool, 
Wilkins,  to  stop  so  long  with  them  preaching  folks  ;  I 
thought  thou'd  a  bit  more  spirit  —  thou,  that  aimed  to 
take  a  spell  at  bush-ranging,  like  a  man.  But  thou  '11 


277 


corne  along  with  us  now,  arid  thou  'It  find  we  're  a  bit 
jollier  than  yon  smooth,  long-faced  dogs.' 

"Then  Wilkins  spoke  out  and  said,  *I  reckon  my 
comrades  were  somewhat  better  than  thine,  Peter. 
Anyhow,  we  managed  to  keep  clothes  to  our  backs.' 

"  The  sly  rogue  tried  to  get  round  poor  Wilkins  then, 
and  went  on,  'That's  just  to  please  those  black  rogues, 
Wilkins  ;  but,  man,  we  're  off  down  south  just  now,  to 
pick  up  stock,  and  cash  too.  Then  we'll  get  good 
clothes  ;  and  as  soon  as  we  've  done  with  them,  we  '11  rid 
ourselves  of  these  black  fools,  and  have  a  grand  jollifica- 
tion out  of  our  money.  There  '11  be  some  fun  in  that, 
man.  And  have  these  comrades  of  thine  any  cash  or 
stuff  worth  lifting  ?  I  'd  like  that  other  gun  they  carried, 
and,  anyhow,  some  powder  and  shot.  I  hav  'n't  a  grain 
left  —  all  blazed  away  after  such  game  as  that,'  —  and 
the  good-for-nothing  fellow  pointed  to  the  poor  black 
natives,  that  did  n't  understand  a  word  he  had  been  say- 
ing. 

"  Wilkins  muttered  some  words,  very  low,  that  I 
could  n't  catch  ;  but  I  fancy  he  did  n't  tell  truth,  for 
Peter  went  on  to  say  and  swear  that  he  would  soon  be 
on  our  track,  for  we  could  n't  get  far  in  these  rains  ; 
and  that  Wilkins  need  n't  think  to  join  us,  for  he  would 
take  care  and  keep  him  in  a  safe  place  —  a  snuggery,  , 
he  called  it. 

"I  made  up  my  mind  that  I  would  see  what  and 
where  this  snuggery  was  ;  and  when  the  men  had 
passed  on,  and  were  out  of  hearing,  I  cautiously  tracked 
them  to  a  place  in  the  midst  of  the  wood,  which  they 
had  cleared  by  burning  down  the  trees,  for  there  lay 
the  blackened  stumps  ;  and  a  crying  sin  it  was,  Mr. 
Arthur,  to  waste  so  much  good  timber.  On  one 
24 


2V»        THE  RELEASE  OF  THE  EAGLE. 

there  was  a  great  rock,  into  which  they  dragged  poor 
Wilkins,  through  a  small  opening,  and  I  saw  no  more  of 
him ;  but  I  think  they  meant  to  do  him  no  harm,  for 
there  's  little  doubt  Peter  wants  him  to  be  useful  to  him. 
Wilkins  is  a  shrewd  fellow,  moreover ;  and  I  feel  sure 
he  '11  try  to  get  away  from  them.  But  if  they  have  him, 
as  it  were,  in  prison,  what  do  you  say,  Mr.  Arthur, 
should  n't  we  help  him  ?  " 

"  Certainly,  I  think  we  are  bound  to  do  so,"  said  Ar- 
thur. "  But  we  must  hold  a  council,  for  we  shall  have 
to  act  with  consideration  and  caution  if  we  venture  to 
leave  our  fortress." 

There  was  great  distress  in  the  family,  and  many 
tears  were  shed  when  the  adventure  was  communicated 
to  them;  for,  notwithstanding  the  former  errors  of 
Wilkins,  and  his  yet  unsubdued  passions,  he  was  much 
beloved  for  his  kind  nature  and  his  attachment  to  his 
true  friends.  Mr.  Mayburn  himself  even  gave  his 
sanction  to  an  expedition  for  the  purpose  of  attempting 
the  rescue  of  Wilkins,  if  he  did  not  return  to  them  in  a 
day  or  two. 

But  for  many  days  after  this  the  rain  fell  so  inces- 
santly that  it  was  impossible  to  leave  their  shelter,  even 
though  all  their  provisions  were  exhausted  except  the 
valuable  grain,  and  a  scanty  supply  of  eggs  from  the 
domestic  fowls.  To  these  they  were  able  occasionally 
to  add  the  fruit  of  a  large  tree  which  grew  in  the  glade 
below,  bearing  huge  pods ;  each  pod  contained  several 
almond-shaped  seeds,  which  were  enclosed  in  shells. 
These  nuts  were  now  ripe ;  they  tasted  like  filberts,  and 
were  a  very  agreeable  and  nutritious  addition  to  their 
spare  diet. 

The  wounded  eagle,  now  quite  sound,  was  an  object  of 


HATCHING    FOWLS.  279 

great  interest  to  the  prisoners:  its  nature  was  so  fierce, 
that  Arthur  despaired  of  its  ever  beeoming  tamed  ;  but  it 
submitted  to  their  approach  when  their  object  was  to 
bring  it  food  —  usually  the  entrails  of  the  birds,  which 
had  been  reserved  for  it,  But  seeing  the  untamable 
nature  of  the  bird,  and  Margaret,  especially,  having 
great  compassion  on  its  ma'te,  it  was  agreed  to  restore  it 
to  liberty ;  though  O'Brien  declared  the  royal  bird 
would  doubtless,  before  this,  have  chosen  another  queen. 
One  morning  there  was  an  intermission  of  rain ;  and  the 
opportunity  was  taken  to  release  the  captive  from  the 
bonds  which  secured  its  legs.  The  leafy  covering  was 
at  the  same  time  removed  from  the  opening  above,  and 
the  glorious  light  allowed  to  stream  into  the  cave.  The 
sight  of  the  sky  and  the  sensation  of  freedom  roused  the 
energy  of  the  bird,  and,  with  a  joyous  fluttering  of  the 
wings,  it  raised  itself  from  the  ground,  soared  round  the 
confined  spot  for  a  minute,  then,  bursting  through  the 
opening,  rose  proudly  to  a  height  above,  and  after  some 
gyrations,  as  if  to  test  its  recovered  powers,  it  sailed 
away  beyond  the  sight  of  its  hospitable  protectors,  of 
whom  two  —  Jenny  and  Ruth  —  rejoiced  greatly  at  the 
departure  of  a  guest  so  voracious. 

u  My  bonnie  hens  had  to  be  pinched  for  that  great 
ugly  creature,"  said  Ruth,  "  when  now  two  are  laying 
every  day,  and  one  has  been  sitting  this  fortnight ;  and 
she 's  sure  to  be  lucky,  Miss  Marget,  for  I  set  her  on 
thirteen  eggs ;  two  of  'em,  to  be  sure,  were  not  her 
own ;  Master  Hugh  fetched  'em  in  to  make  up  a  lucky 
eletch." 

"  Yes,"  said  Hugh,  "  I  should  think  it  was  perhaps 
the  first  time  that  an  English  hen  has  had  the  honor  of 
hatching  the  eggs  of  the  Guculus  PhasianusT 


280        THE  PARTY  FOR  THE  RESCUE. 

In  due  time  Ruth's  chickens  were  hatched,  to  the 
great  amusement  of  the  inmates  of  the  cave  ;  they  were 
carefully  tended  and  out  of  reach  of  danger,  and  seemed 
likely  to  be  reared  prosperously,  the  English  family 
fraternizing  with  the  Australian  intruders  most  agreea- 
bly. A  second  day  of  fair  weather  determined  the 
anxious  young  men  to  set  out  in  search  of  poor  Wilkins, 
lest  the  savages  should  have  left  their  fastnesses  in  the 
rock,  to  follow  their  leader  in  his  bush-ranging  excur- 
sions. Day  after  day  they  had  mounted  high  trees  to 
scan  the  plain,  in  hopes  of  seeing  their  lost  companion, 
or  observing  the  departure  of  his  captors  ;  but  no  human 
form  was  seen,  and  Arthur  felt  assured  that  if  Wilkins 
had  effected  his  escape,  nothing  would  have  prevented 
him  from  making  his  way  through  the  Black  Forest  to 
join  them. 

It  was  resolved  to  take  the  rifle,  with  sufficient 
ammunition  to  disperse  the  savages,  and  also  all  the 
weapons  they  possessed  for,  in  all  probability,  it  would 
be  necessary  to  storm  the  fortress.  Jack  and  the  three 
boys  were  intended  to  be  the  whole  force ;  but  Balda- 
bella  so  earnestly  entreated  that  she  might  accompany 
them  that  they  were  induced  to  admit  her  into  the  train. 
She  could  throw  a  boomerang  or  spear  better  than  any 
of  them;  her  sympathy  was  excited  for  Wilkins,  who 
had  always  been  her  protector ;  and  her  knowledge  of 
the  habits  and  the  language  of  the  people  might  make 
her  very  useful  to  them. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

The  Approach  to  the  Prison.  —  Baldabella's  Stratagem.  —  The 
Release  of  the  Captive.  — Wilkins's  Tale  of  Trials.  — A  Well.— 
The  Potato  Crop.  —  The  Flying  Opossum.  —  The  Salt  Plant.  — 
Preparations  for  a  Siege. 

CAUTIOUSLY  and  quietly  the  party  wound,  under  the 
cover  of  the  trees  and  bushes,  across  the  plain,  till  they 
reached  the  wood  that  enclosed  the  abode  of  the  savages. 
Then  the  peril  increased.  Jack  led  the  way,  and  one 
after  another  they  followed,  step  by  step,  through,  under, 
or  over  the  matted  brush ;  and,  finally,  the  leader 
placed  his  party  in  a  position  where  they  could  all 
command  a  view  of  the  rocky  cave,  though  they  stood 
at  a  short  distance  from  each  other.  On  the  cleared 
ground  before  the  cave  two  women  were  seated,  bruising 
nuts  between  two  stones  ;  and  several  children  were 
playing  round  them.  The  anxious  young  men  watched 
for  some  minutes,  but  none  of  the  men  appeared  ;  then 
Baldabella  proposed  to  go  forward  to  introduce  herself 
to  the  women,  her  friends  promising  to  rescue  her  if 
they  attempted  to  detain  her. 

Disencumbering  herself  from  the  light  robe  she  con- 
descended to  wear  in  civilized  life,  and  retaining  only 
her  cloak  of  furs,  she  took  her  fish-spear  in  her  hand, 
and  penetrated  to  a  distant  part  of  the  wood,  from 
whence  she  made  her  appearance  on  the  charred  glade, 
many  yards  from  the  ambush  of  her  friends,  and  with 
slow  steps,  counterfeiting  great  fatigue,  she  walked  up 
24*  (28I/ 


282  A    STRATAGEM. 

to  the  women,  to  demand,  as  she  had  arranged  with  her 
friends,  food  and  repose.  As  soon  as  they  perceived 
her,  the  women  rose  and  looked  round  anxiously,  and 
the  young  men  expected  every  moment  to  hear  the  sig- 
nal call  for  them ;  but  the  solitary  feeble  form  of  Bal- 
dabella  seemed  to  re-assure  them.  She  drew  near  and 
talked  for  some  minutes  to  her  dark  sisters ;  and  the 
fcoft  and  pathetic  inflections  of  her  voice  convinced  the 
concealed  party  that  she  was  appealing  to  that  compas- 
sionate feeling  which  is  ever  so  strong  in  the  heart  of 
woman. 

The  women  listened,  and  invited  the  stranger  to  sit 
down  by  them ;  they  fed  her  with  the  rich  kernels  of 
the  nuts,  and,  the  rain  beginning  to  fall  again,  they  took 
her  with  them  into  the  cave  for  shelter.  How  anxious- 
ly the  young  men  waited,  at  one  moment  prompted  to 
burst  out  and  free  the  captive,  who  seemed  to  have  no 
gaoler  but  the  women,  and  then  resolving  to  leave  the 
whole  affair  to  the  shrewd  management  of  Baldabella. 
Arthur  was  anxiously  examining  the  state  of  his  rifle 
and  ammunition,  which  he  had  carefully  shielded  be- 
neath his  fur  cloak,  when  they  were  roused  to  force 
their  way  through  the  bush  by  the  loud  and  triumphant 
voice  of  Wilkins,  the  low  and  apparently  smothered 
coo-ee  of  the  women,  and,  finally,  by  the  appearance  of 
Baldabella,  rushing  wildly  from  the  cave,  followed  by 
"Wilkins,  excited,  tattered,  and  emaciated.  He  carried 
a  gun  in  his  hand,  and  staggered  up  to  his  friends  as  if 
intoxicated. 

"  Take  this,  and  load  it  directly,"  said  he,  giving 
Hugh  the  gun.  "  My  hands  are  so  cramped  wi'  them 
tough  bands,  that  it  '11  be  long  afore  I  have  any  use  on 
'cm.  Rascals  !  rogues !  Come  on,  I  say ;  march  while 


THE    ESCAPE.  d 

we  can;  yon  screeching  jins  will  soon  bring  a  wasp's- 
nest  round  us." 

Not  caring  for  caution  now,  they  hacked  and  burst 
through  the  thick  wood,  till  they  reached  the  plain ;  and 
then  the  coo-ce  of  the  duped  women  rang  alarmingly  on 
their  ears,  and  was  soon  answered  by  a  faint  and  distant 
•3ry  from  the  absent  men."  Poor  "Wilkins,  whose  legs 
had  been  bound  till  they  were  numbed,  made  but  slow 
progress ;  and  Arthur  ordered  O'Brien  and  Jack,  with 
Baldabella,  to  move  rapidly  forward,  to  guard,  or,  if 
necessary,  to  close  the  pass,  while  Hugh  and  he  pro- 
tected the  slow  retreat  of  Wilkins. 

They  made  no  use  of  their  arms  till  they  saw  the 
whole  body  of  the  savages  appear  outside  the  wood, 
and  spears  were  falling  round  them.  Then  Hugh  and 
Arthur  fired  their  guns  simultaneously  into  the  midst 
of  the  foes,  who  plunged  screaming  into  the  woods. 
Two  men  lingered  outside,  but  another  volley  from  the 
second  barrel,  struck  down  one,  and  his  companion  dis- 
appeared in  a  moment. 

"  Now,  Mr.  Arthur,"  cried  Wilkins,  as  he  hurried 
forward,  "  now  don't  ye  trust  'em.  They  're  watching 
us ;  we  'se  be  done  if  we  make  straight  to  our  cutting. 
They  're  sharp-eyed  chaps  ;  we  'se  have  to  bubble  'em 
a  bit." 

Wilkins  was  right ;  and  though  it  occupied  some 
time,  they  made  the  circuit  of  the  forest,  before  they 
ventured  to  enter ;  after  which,  they  lost  no  time  in 
closing  up  the  opening  with  great  art  and  care.  Then 
the  rescued  prisoner  was  conducted  to  the  cave,  wel- 
comed with  great  joy.  fresh  clad,  and  fed  with  pheasant, 
biscuit,  and  the  unfailing  tea  ;  and  his  friends  gathered 
round  him  to  hear  the  tale  of  his  hardships  and  trials. 


284  "WILKINS'S    TALE. 

"  Ay,  ay !  this  is  all  as  it  ought  to  be,"  said  he ;  "  and 
God  be  thanked  I'se  out  on  t'  clutches  of  them  unnat'ral' 
dogs.  They  tied  me  hand  and  foot,  all  'cause  I  could  n't 
be  made  to  swear  as  how  I'd  turn  bush-ranger,  and 
start  by  robbing  and  murdering  them  as  had  cared  for 
me  and  given  me  meat  and  claithes  and  good  advice. 
That  brute  Peter  bullied  me,  and  kicked  me  when  he 
knew  T  was  tied  fast ;  and  he  M  have  put  a  knife  into 
me,  but  likely  he  thought  to  bring  me  into  his  ways ; 
and  he  were  feared  his  blackeys  might  turn  round  on 
him,  for  they'd  no  ill  blood  again  me.  Then  he  or- 
dered as  how  I  were  to  have  nought  given  me  to  eat, 
and  sure  enough  I  'd  been  starved  afore  this ;  but  them 
poor  jins,  'whiles,  popped  a  few  bites  into  my  mouth, 
and  brought  me  a  sup  of  water,  when  I  were  like  to  go 
mad  for  want  on  't.  A  hempen  rope  would  n't  have 
held  me,  afore  I  lost  my  strength  ;  but  them  stringy 
bark  cords  are  like  iron. 

"  It  were  dowly  wark,  and  mony  and  mony  a  time, 
master,  I  thought  over  your  words,  and  all  my  bad  life, 
and  my  coward's  death,  and  God's  judgment  to  come. 
And  then  and  there  I  settled  it  in  my  mind,  if  He 
pleased  to  set  me  free  again,  I  'd  niver  swear  another 
oath,  I  'd  niver  tell  another  lie,  and  I  'd  niver  miss  pray- 
ing for  strength,  when  bad  thoughts  came  into  my  mind. 
I  see,  Miss,  ye  'r  crying  over  my  black  sins,  and  well 
ye  may,  God  help  me.  After  this,  I  felt  a  bit  more 
cheery,  and  I  were  sure  some  on  ye  would  see  after  me ; 
but  I  niver  reckoned  on  her  to  be  t'  first,  and  were 
quite  stunned  when  I  saw  her  come  in  with  t'  other  jins. 
But  I  plucked  up  my  heart ;  I  kenned  she  'd  mind  my 
words,  and  I  just  said, — 

"  Yer  knife  —  cut  these  ropes ! "  and  as  sharp  as  a 


THE    RAINS.  285 

needle  she  was  up  to  me,  pulled  out  a  knife  from  under 
her  cloak,  and  cut  me  loose.  But  poor  creaters  as  we 
are,  I  could  n't  move  arm  or  leg  for  a  good  bit,  and  her 
there,  hauding  a  hand  on  one  woman's  mouth,  and  a 
hand  on  t'  others,  flayed  as  how  they  'd  shrike  out,  till  I 
come  round  a  bit,  and  got  my  arms  worked  round  from 
behind  me,  and  my  feet  to  shuffle  on.  Then  I  thanked 
God  in  my  heart,  and  off  we  came,  and  here  we  are ; 
God  bless  ye  all.  I  'se  niver  leave  ye,  whiles  I  have 
life.  But,  Mr.  Arthur,  we  're  not  safe ;  Peter 's  a  cun- 
ning fish." 

"  There  's  one  comfort,  Wilkins,"  said  Arthur ;  "  they 
do  not  like  to  face  the  heavy  rain,  which  is  now  very 
welcome ;  and  before  it  ceases,  we  must  make  ready  for 
a  siege ;  unfortunately,  we  want  provisions." 

Ruth  placed  herself  uneasily  before  her  poultry 
hutch,  and  Wilkins  said,  u  There 's  lots  of  pigeons 
amang  yon  trees ;  I  can  soon  trap  a  lot,  and  fetch  'em 
down  here  alive,  and  we  '11  fit  up  a  dove-cote,  and  have 
tame  birds  to  eat.  We  'se  be  forced  to  care  nought  for 
a  drop  of  rain,  but  set  off  and  forage  about  inside  of  t' 
wood." 

To  be  besieged  in  a  subterranean  cave,  from  whence 
there  was  no  retreat,  was  truly  an  alarming  prospect ; 
and  several  plans  of  fortification  and  defence  were  pro- 
jected during  the  continuance  of  the  heavy  rain ;  while, 
regardless  of  the  weather,  the  active  youths  left  the 
cave  to  forage  for  stores,  and  to  survey  the  plains  that 
divided  them  from  their  enemies. 

"  Do  look  at  our  potatoes,  Arthur,"  said  Hugh ; 
"  how  they  have  sprung  up  the  last  month.  In  another 
week  they  will  be  fit  to  eat,  and  we  shall  have  a  plenti- 
ful crop  of  these  useful  roots." 


286  A    SUPPLY    OF    WATER. 

Though  they  saw  all  was  still  on  the  moist  plain,  they 
did  not  venture  beyond  the  wood,  but  easily  procured 
birds,  figs,  and  oats  in  abundance ;  and  after  Wilkins 
had  placed  his  traps  for  pigeons,  and  Hugh  had  taken 
up  a  root  of  the  still  small  potatoes,  they  returned  to 
the  cave,  heavily  laden  with  good  things. 

Day  after  day  they  brought  in  fruit  and  grain  to  add 
to  the  stores,  and  captured  a  number  of  fine  pigeons,  for 
which  Jack  wattled  off  a  niche  in  the  cave,  and  they 
Were  supplied  with  grass  and  brushwood  for  nests,  and 
grain  for  food,  to  induce  them  to  settle  quietly.  It  was 
impossible  in  this  climate  to  keep  animal  food  eatable 
for  more  than  two  days ;  but  so  long  as  they  had  grain 
and  potatoes  they  knew  that  they  could  live,  provided 
they  could  secure  a  constant  supply  of  water. 

This  was  their  most  perplexing  difficulty ;  and  even 
amidst  the  rain  the  stony  lining  of  the  reservoir  was 
taken  up  that  they  might  bore  the  ground  beneath  it 
with  long  poles.  Up  to  the  waist  in  water,  they  bored 
ineffectually  for  an  hour,  the  pole  always  striking 
against  the  solid  rock.  At  length  the  pole  passed 
through,  there  was  an  accidental  opening  in  the  rock, 
and  the  party  who  watched  in  the  caves  below,  saw, 
with  delight,  the  water  trickle  through  into  a  recess 
some  distance  from  the  entrance.  Then  they  all  de- 
scended, to  sink  a  well  in  the  soft  sandy  floor  of  the 
cave,  which  they  lined  with  slabs,  and  looked  on  with 
pleasure  as  this  little  reservoir  gradually  filled  from  the 
pool  above,  which  the  continual  rains  kept  constantly 
filled  with  water. 

It  was  ten  days  before  all  these  labors  were  fully  ac- 
complished ;  then  a  dry  day  succeeded,  and  every  hand 
was  actively  employed  in  digging  up,  carrying  off,  and 


VICTUALLING    THE    FORT.  287 

storing  the  potatoes,  which  were  of  good  size,  and  an 
abundant  crop.  They  had  made  a  number  of  bags  of 
a  flexible  bark  for  containing  stores ;  but  now  so  many 
were  filled  that  Margaret  was  afraid,  if  they  had  to  set 
out  soon,  they  should  be  unable  to  carry  all  off. 

Then,  after  ascertaining  the  undisturbed  solitude  of 
the  plain  beyond  the  wood",  Arthur  and  Wilkins  set  out 
in  hopes  of  procuring  a  change  of  food ;  but  no  kanga* 
roos  or  emus  were  in  sight,  and  they  feared  to  venture 
far  from  their  place  of  refuge.  They  shot  some  opos- 
sums, filled  one  bag  with  the  leaves  of  the  tea-shrub,  at 
the  particular  request  of  Jenny,  and  another  with  the 
leaves  of  a  salt  plant,  which  seemed  to  have  sprung  up 
after  the  rain,  and  which  Arthur  was  glad  to  carry  off, 
that  he  might  try  an  experiment  of  which  he  had  read. 

"  But,  I  say,  Mr.  Arthur,"  said  Wilkins,  "  we  've  gone 
and  made  a  bad  job  of  it ;  just  look  ye  here,  we  've 
niver  thought  that  we  were  leaving  a  track,  and  here  it 
is  on  this  plashy  bog,  and  no  mistake.  We  might  just 
as  well  have  hung  out  a  sign-post,  to  ask  blacky  to  walk 
in." 

Arthur  was  much  vexed  at  his  own  carelessness,  but 
he  saw  nothing  could  now  be  done  but  to  endeavor  to 
confuse  the  track  as  much  as  possible,  and  he  arranged 
with  Wilkins  that  they  should  separate,  branch  off  in 
different  directions,  and  finally  they  made  a  circuit 
opposite  to  each  other  round  the  wood,  that  the  weak 
point  might  not  be  discovered. 

"  Ye  see,  Mr.  Arthur,"  said  Wilkins  before  they  sep- 
arated, "if  Peter  has  an  inkling  that  we're  aback  of 
these  trees,  he  'd  soon  cut  his  way  through,  with  a  bit  of 
help.  But  then,  them  fools  of  black  fellows  are  as  bad 
as  our  fond  lass  Ruth ;  they  're  flayed  out  of  their  wits 


288  COOKERY. 

of  this  wood,  and  they  '11  be  shy  of  coming  nigh  hand  it. 
I  ken  a  good  bit  of  their  talk,  ye  see,  but  I  'se  a  bad 
hand  at  framing  their  queer  chirruping  words.  I  heard 
'em  tell  of  bad  sperrits  as  haunted  this  wood.  But 
Black  Peter 's  set  on  getting  haud  of  t  'master's  money, 
and  guns,  and  powder,  and  such  like,  and  he 's  not  good 
to  put  down.  I  seed  Master  Hugh's  rifle  as  soon  as 
they  pulled  me  into  that  hole,  and  kept  an  eye  on  't.  It 
were  no  use  to  them,  for  they  'd  no  powder  ;  and  I  said 
to  myself,  if  God  please  to  loose  me,  that  gun  goes  wi' 
me." 

They  then  parted  to  move  round  the  dark  forest,  and 
during  his  walk,  Arthur  was  alarmed  to  see  smoke  from 
the  wood  in  which  the  cave  of  the  savages  lay ;  and 
before  he  reached  the  opening,  he  heard  their  curious 
and  unwelcome  cry,  which  proclaimed  that  the  foe  was 
near,  and  he  feared,  watching  their  movements,  and  now 
deeply  regretted  that  they  had  left  their  retreat. 
Gladly  they  returned  to  it,  and  doubly  secured  the  en- 
trance, determining  to  keep  an  incessant  watch,  lest  they 
should  be  surprised  in  their  citadel. 

On  their  return  they  found  that  Jack,  assisted  by 
Hugh  and  Gerald,  had  formed  an  oven,  lined  with  slabs, 
on  the  hearth  where  the  cooking-fire  was  usually  made, 
and  Jenny  was  preparing  cakes  of  bruised  oats,  and  a 
pigeon-pie  made  in  a  large  oyster-shell,  and  covered 
with  potatoes,  to  be  baked  in  the  new  oven.  The  flesh 
of  the  opossum  was  not  relished  by  any  of  the  party. 
Jenny  declared  she  would  just  as  soon  eat  a  monkey; 
Ruth  was  afraid  to  touch  one,  even  before  it  was 
cooked;  and  Mr.  Mayburn,  after  a  long  lecture  to 
prove  that  the  flesh  must  certainly  be  wholesome,  from 
the  habits  and  the  vegetable"  diet  of  the  class  of  ani- 


THE    SALT-PLANT.  289 

mals  to  which  it  belonged,  concluded  by  declining,  him- 
self, to  eat  of  it. 

"  Nevertheless,"  he  said,  "  I  am  not  prejudiced  by  the 
vulgar  error  of  confounding  this  little  creature  with  the 
ugly  opossum  of  America,  to  which  it  bears  no  resem- 
blance, except  in  its  marsupial  formation  and  its  playful 
habits.  In  fact,  the  graceful  form,  delicate  color,  and  ex- 
traordinary agility  of  this  beautiful  animal,  seem  to  rank 
it  rather  with  the  squirrels  ;  and  from  the  lateral  folds 
of  membrane,  which  it  has  the  power  to  expand,  in  or- 
der to  support  its  flying  leaps  through  the  air,  it  has 
been  named  by  some  travellers  the  *  flying  squirrel,' 
though  distinct  from  the  American  squirrel,  and,  like 
all  the  quadrupeds  of  the  country,  exclusively  Austra- 
lian." 

The  pretty  delicate  gray  skins  were  carefully  pre- 
served, to  be  sewed  together  for  cloaks ;  and  the  hungry 
boys  did  not  disdain  a  stew  of  opossums,  which  they 
declared  was  quite  as  good  as  rabbit.  But  previous  to 
the  cookery,  Arthur  showed  his  father  the  new  salt- 
shrub  ;  and  the  large  and  peculiar  form  of  the  leaves 
enabled  them  to  decide  that  it  must  be  Brown's  Rhago- 
dia  Parabolica,  the  leaves  of  which  are  edible.  Anx- 
ious to  make  the  experiment,  the  leaves  were  boiled  for 
some  time,  strained,  and  the  liquor  filtered  and  evapo- 
rated several  times,  and  at  length  the  exposure  to  great 
heat  produced  some  crystals  of  salt,  to  the  delight  of  the 
young  chemists,  and  still  more  to  the  content  of  Jenny, 
who  treasured  the  precious  salt,  which  had  so  long  been 
the  grand  deficiency  in  her  cookery.  The  leaves  them- 
selves were  added  to  the  stew,  and  not  only  communi- 
cating a  salt  flavor  to  the  insipid  meat,  but  formed  a 
tender  vegetable,  tasting  like  spinach ;  and  it  was  deter- 
25 


290  SECLUSION. 

mined  to  omit  no  opportunity  of  searching  for  this  val- 
uable plant. 

In  the  preparation  and  enjoyment  of  their  abundant 
food,  they  did  not  neglect  the  necessary  precautions  for 
concealing  their  retreat.  All  the  potato  stalks  were 
thrown  into  the  cave,  for  fuel,  and  the  ground  was 
smoothed  over  as  much  as  possible,  and  strewn  with 
stones,  that  the  traces  of  cultivation  might  haply  escape 
observation  ;  a  watch  was  continually  kept  on  the 
heights,  and  every  opening  that  lighted  the  cave,  with 
the  exception  of  some  narrow  crevices,  was  carefully 
covered  with  a  slab  of  stone  beneath  the  brush,  lest  an 
accident  similar  to  that  which  befell  O'Brien  should  lead 
their  enemies  to  discover  the  subterranean  hollow. 

This  precaution  rendered  their  abode  gloomy,  though 
they  left  the  principal  opening  —  the  entrance  —  uncov- 
ered till  any  serious  cause  of  alarm  should  render  it 
prudent  to  enclose  themselves  entirely  ;  and  when  a 
cessation  of  the  rain  permitted  them,  they  all  gladly  re- 
mained in  the  open  air,  enjoying  the  perfume  of  the  re- 
vived vegetation,  and  the  joyful  notes  of  thousands  of 
birds  which  sported  in  the  air,  fluttered  on  the  trees,  or 
clamored  noisily  round  the  pools  of  water,  plunging 
their  beaks  into  the  mud  for  the  worms  and  reptiles  on 
which  they  fed.  These  creatures  supplied  the  family 
with  unfailing  food,  and  afforded  Mr.  Mayburn  constant 
amusement  in  studying  their  various  habits. 

But  a  cessation  of  rain  brought  to  them  also  a  cer- 
tain increase  of  peril.  The  natives  were  seen  spread- 
ing over  the  plain  below,  hunting  the  kangaroo  or  opos- 
sum ;  and  Black  Peter,  himself,  easily  distinguished, 
as  Gerald  said,  because  he  was  white,  was  observed 
stooping  down,  as  Arthur  suspected,  to  scrutinize  the 


THE    ENEMY    IN    SIGHT.  291 

track,  which  he  feared  the  rain  had  failed  to  obliterate. 
Still,  occasionally  heavy  showers  fell,  and  dispersed  the 
people,  who  shrink  from  rain  ;  and  it  was  not  till  one 
morning,  when  none  was  actually*  falling,  though  dark 
clouds  hid  the  sun,  that  the  whole  force  of  the  savages, 
certainly  exceeding  fifty  men,  appeared  crossing  the 
plain  ;  following  slowly,  and  it  seemed  reluctantly,  their 
debased  chief,  Black  Peter. 

When  they  had  approached  within  a  hundred  yards 
of  the  forest,  the  natives  halted  at  once,  and  Peter,  after 
speaking  some  words  to  them,  began  again  to  examine 
the  perplexed  track,  and  drawing  close  to  the  trees,  fol- 
lowed it  round  the  whole  boundary,  apparently  puzzled 
and  enraged.  At  length  he  paused  not  far  from  the 
real  entrance,  and  swinging  round  his  axe  above  his 
head,  he  called  out  loudly  to  the  people.  They  an- 
swered by  throwing  their  axes  on  the  ground,  and  re- 
maining erect  and  motionless.  The  watchers  above  dis- 
tinctly heard  repeated  strokes  of  the  axe  on  the  hard 
pine-trees  ;  but  they  were  well  convinced  that  the  ef- 
forts of  one  man  alone  could  not  accomplish  an  en- 
trance, even  for  many  days,  and  therefore  felt  compara- 
tively tranquillized. 

Still  there  was  the  absolute  conviction  that  they 
were  in  a  state  of  siege  ;  that  this  man  was  of  indomi- 
table determination,  of  cruel  and  depraved  nature,  and 
that  ultimately  his  obstinacy  might  bend  even  the  timid 
savages  to  his  will.  And  at  this  thought,  fear  and  anx- 
iety stole  over  every  heart.  Mr.  Mayburn  was  per- 
suaded to  remain  in  the  cave  with  Margaret  and  the 
three  women,  the  sentinels  promising  to  send  reports  of 
the  progress  of  affairs  to  them,  while,  with  tears  and 
prayers  they  waited  the  result. 


292  PLANS    OF    DEFENCE. 

"  Now,  Mr.  Arthur,"  said  Wilkins,  "  just  let  me  say 
my  say.  We  've  t'  best  on 't  yet  :  let 's  keep  yon  pass 
again  all  them  rogues,  and  see  which  side  tires  first. 
We  '11  cut  a  canny  Role  to  fire  through  at  'em,  and  load 
one  gun  after  another  ;  and  as  ye  're  a  bit  soft-hearted 
yersel,'  ye  maun  just  let  me  be  front-rank  man,  and 
I  'se  pick  off  my  chaps,  reet  and  left,  till  there 's  not  a 
rogue  can  stand  again  us.  Folks  say  as  how  Peter  's 
charmed  ;  but  I  'se  have  a  blaze  at  him,  onyhow,  and 
see  if  I  can't  stop  his  mischief." 

"  That  will  be  capital !  "  cried  Gerald.  "  And  let  us 
dig  trenches,  Arthur,  and  then  won't  we  pepper  the  ras- 
cals snugly." 

"  But  these  savages  are  not  rascals,  Gerald,"  said  Ar- 
thur ;  "  they  are  only  ignorant  wretches,  misled  by  a 
rascal.  To  fire  on  them  from  an  ambush  would  be 
cold-blooded  murder,  which  papa  would  never  sanction. 
We  have  no  right  deliberately  to  destroy  so  many  hu- 
man lives." 

"  Ye  're  a  real  soft  un,  master,"  said  Wilkins. 
"  What 's  a  few  savages  ?  Bless  ye,  t'  country  round 
about  teems  with  'em  ;  they  '11  niver  be  missed  !  " 

Nevertheless,  Arthur  could  not  be  persuaded  that  it 
was  expedient  or  excusable  to  destroy  the  surplus  pop- 
ulation of  savages  ;  and  he  preferred  to  reserve  his 
charges  for  absolute  defence. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

Peter's  last  Stratagem.  —  Firing  the  Fortress.  —  The  Watch-tower. 
The  Welcome  Rain.  — The  close  Siege.  — The  Conflict.— The 
Defeat  of  Peter.  —  The  Fortress  abandoned.  —  Once  more  on  the 
Road.  —  Resting  in  the  Wilds. 

BUT  now  they  observed  that  Peter  had  returned  to 
his  party,  and  was  talking  to  them  with  violent  gesticu- 
lation ;  continually  pointing  to  the  wood,  and  waving 
them  forward.  The  men  drew  nearer,  and  gathered 
round  a  thicket  of  low  bushes,  where  they  appeared 
busily  engaged  for  a  few  minutes.  Then  the  watchful 
sentinels  saw,  to  their  great  dismay,  many  burning 
brands,  one  after  another,  flame  up  in  the  hands  of  the 
natives,  who  now  rush  boldly  forward  to  cast  them 
among  the  underwood  of  the  forest.  This  was  indeed  a 
fearful  sight,  and  no  time  was  lost  in  retreating  to  the 
cave,  where,  after  Arthur  had  carefully  observed  that 
no  track  was  left  to  the  spot,  they  all  entered  ;  a  slab 
was  introduced  over  the  opening,  beneath  the  brush- 
wood, and  now  only  small  interstices  were  left  to  ad- 
mit air  and  faint  gleams  of  light  to  the  agitated  party 
below. 

When  the  terrific  mode  of  penetrating  their  fortress 
was  told  to  Mr.  Mayburn,  and  the  reality  of  the  obsti- 
nate siege  burst  upon  him,  stunned  with  horror,  he  re- 
mained speechless  and  motionless  till  Margaret  roused 
him,  by  entreaties  that  he  would  pray  for  them. 

"  I  will  pray,  my  child,"  said  he,  "  I  will   pray  for 

25  *  (  293  ) 


294  THE    PROGRESS    OF    THE    SIEGE. 

speedy  death  ;  for  death  is  inevitably  our  doom,  and, 
alas !  in  its  most  frightful  form." 

"  Will  they  burn  us  alive,  Miss  Marget  ? "  shrieked 
Ruth  ;  "  and  my  bonnie  hens,  and  them  poor  pigf  ons  ?  " 

"  Be  silent,  Ruth,"  said  Margaret.  "  God  is  great 
in  power.  It  may  be  His  will  yet  to  save  us,  if  we 
pray  to  Him." 

"  There  are  caves  within  caves  here,  Meggie,"  said 
Hugh.  "  Gerald  and  I  know  some  queer  corners,  and 
we  may  escape  beyond  their  discovery  ;  and  I  make  no 
doubt  we  may  even  cut  our  way  through  in  some  other 
part  of  the  hollow,  if  we  can  only  hold  out  long  enough, 
and  puzzle  these  fellows." 

But  the  temporary  depression  of  Mr.  Mayourn  had 
now  left  him ;  he  had  recovered  his  firmness  and  faith 
in  God ;  and  he  summoned  round  him  his  agitated 
family,  to  join  him  in  fervent  prayer  for  help  and  pro- 
tection in  this  hour  of  extreme  need.  He  spoke  to 
them  long  and  earnestly,  not  denying  his  own  weak- 
ness ;  and  besought  each  to  contend  with  his  besetting 
sin :  the  strong  must  yield  to  His  will ;  the  weak  must 
ask  for  fortitude  ;  the  erring  must  resolve  to  forsake  his 
sins ;  and  the  desponding  must  trust  wholly  to  Him 
who  was  mighty  to  save  and  merciful  to  the  oppressed. 

"  We  are  now,  my  children,"  he  added,  "  wanderers, 
as  were  his  chosen  people  in  the  wilderness.  Let  us, 
then,  remember  the  marvellous  works  that  He  hath 
done,  His  wonders,  and  the  judgments  of  his  mouth." 

Composed  and  hopeful,  after  their  religious  exercise 
the  besieged  began  to  examine  their  defences  and  their 
resources.  The  powder  had  been  carefully  preserved 
in  a  solid  rocky  niche,  where  no  stray  spark  could 
possibly  reach  it.  The  provision,  though  simple,  was 


THE    WATCH-TOWER.  295 

abundant  —  the  store  of  potatoes  alone  seemed  inex- 
haustible. 

"  We  can  surely  live,"  said  O'Brien,  "  like  thousands 
of  ray  careless,  healthy  countrymen,  on  the  pratee  !  and 
defy  famine.  And,  please,  General  Arthur,  to  come 
and  see  the  watch-tower  that  Hugh  and  I  have  found 
out." 

Arthur  followed  the  restless  boys,  who  carried  off  the 
ladder  with  them,  through  many  a  narrow  winding,  till 
they  reached  a  very  lofty  hollow.  Here  the  boys  rested 
their  ladder,  and  ascended  as  high  as  they  could  with  its 
assistance,  after  whicn  they  climbed  the  rugged  wall  till 
a  projecting  ledge  enabled  them  to  stand  ;  and  when 
Arthur  joined  them,  they  pointed  out  to  him  some  hori- 
zontal crannies  between  the  strata  of  the  stone,  through 
which  he  looked  down  upon  the  table  land  of  the  moun- 
tain ;  and  he  perceived  that  this  rock  formed  the  para- 
pet, or  boundary  wall  of  the  crater. 

They  were  thus  enabled  to  survey  their  own  hitherto 
peaceful  domain,  as  well  as  the  surrounding  wood,  from 
which  a  dense  smoke  was  now  rising.  The  moist  and 
green  trees  had  long  refused  to  blaze,  but  at  length,  as 
the  boys  were  silently  and  anxiously  watching,  they  saw 
the  red  threads  crawl  through  the  black  clouds ;  they 
heard  the  loud  crackling  of  dried  branches ;  and  finally 
the  broad  flames  rose  majestically  above  the  dark  trees, 
and  spread  rapidly  towards  the  east  side  of  the  moun- 
tain, urged  by  a  west  wind.  The  roaring  of  the  flames, 
the  noise  of  falling  timber,  the  screams  and  discordant 
cries  of  hundreds  of  disturbed  and  affrighted  birds,  which 
continued  to  wheel,  as  if  fascinated,  over  the  flames, 
prevented  any  sound  of  human  voices  being  audible; 


296  THE    FIRE    ON    THE    MOUNTAIN. 

and  the  actors  in  the  frightful  devastation  were  alike 
unseen  and  unheard. 

Hugh  sobbed  with  grief  as  he  watched  numbers  of 
his  favorite  birds,  suffocated  with  the  thick  smoke,  fall 
down  senseless ;  Gerald  exclaimed  against  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  ripe  oats  in  the  glade  below,  which  were 
now  blazing  fiercely  ;  and  Arthur,  pale  and  agitated, 
saw  the  fearful  conflagration  rapidly  spreading  up  the 
side  of  the  mountain,  and  dreaded  the  moment  when, 
the  brushwood  being  consumed  above  the  cave,  the 
slabs  that  covered  the  entrance  must  inevitably  be  de- 
tected, and  they  must  submit  to  be  baited  in  their  last 
hold. 

"  Arthur,  what  shall  we  do  ?  "  exclaimed  Hugh,  u  for 
the  fire  is  running  up  the  brush  at  the  side  of  the  moun- 
tain. See,  now,  it  blazes  over  the  edge ;  it  has  caught 
a  heap  of  potato  stalks  that  I  was  so  careless  as  to  leave 
there.  Gerald,  there  are  Margaret's  favorite  parterres 
all  blazing,  —  the  scarlet  geranium,  the  blue  convolvu- 
lus, and  the  sweet,  home-like  jasmine.  How  she  will 
grieve  !  But,  I  forget,  we  have  more  to  grieve  for ;  al- 
ready the  sparks  are  falling  on  the  bush  over  our  grotto ! 
What  will  become  of  Margaret  and  papa  ?  " 

"  We  must  go  to  them,"  replied  Arthur.  "  We  have 
seen  the  worst  that  can  happen ;  it  is  useless  remaining 
here.  Let  us  comfort  them,  and  lead  them  into  the 
deepest  recesses  of  the  mountain.  We  may,  at  least, 
escape  the  fearful  effects  of  the  conflagration." 

"  And  then,  Arthur,"  said  Hugh,  "  we  may  surely  de- 
fend them  with  our  guns.  It  will  be  a  just  cause/' 

"  It  will  J  it  will !  "  answered  Arthur.  "  God  send 
that  we  may  not  be  called  on  to  shed  blood ;  but  I  be- 


PACKING    UP.  297 

lieve  we  should  be  justified  in  doing  it.     Do  you  yet 
see  the  enemy,  Gerald  ?  " 

"  No,  Arthur ;  but  God  is  good  to  us,"  said  Gerald. 
"  The  rain  is  falling  again,  and  our  dear  Black  Forest 
will  not  be  entirely  consumed ;  and  perhaps  we  may 
have  opportunity  to  escape." 

The  rain  re-commenced  suddenly,  and  so  heavily, 
that  in  a  short  time  the  blazing  conflagration  was  extin- 
guished, and  the  progress  of  the  invaders  arrested ;  for, 
when  the  boys  joined  their  trembling  friends,  Wilkins 
said,  — 

"  Depend  on  't  they  've  crept  into  some  hole  or  other ; 
they're  just  downreet  cowards  about  a  drop  of  rain, 
for  all  their  running  about  without  a  rag  to  their 
backs." 

"  But  we  cannot  exist-  long  in  this  state  of  misery," 
said  Mr.  May  burn.  "  What  would  you  advise,  Ar- 
thur?" 

"I  should  say,  dear  papa,"  answered  he,  "that  we 
must  defend  our  position  as  long  as  it  is  tenable,  and 
then  have  all  prepared,  and  attempt  a  retreat  —  a  dan- 
gerous but  inevitable  measure.  Jack  will  point  out  the 
most  convenient  mode  of  making  up  packages  for  carry- 
ing away.  We  must,  if  possible,  take  our  potatoes,  for 
we  may  meet  with  a  sterile  region." 

"  And  the  hens  and  chickens,"  added  Ruth,  implor- 
ingly- 

"  We  had  certainly  better  release  them,"  he  replied, 
with  a  smile,  "  and  introduce  a  new  race  into  the  coun- 
try ;  or  else  roast  them  .and  make  them  useful." 

But  Ruth  so  pathetically  and  earnestly  begged  to  be 
allowed  to  carry  her  "  bonnie  bit  chicks,"  that,  on  the 
promise  that  the  young  ones  should  be  given  up  to  be 


298  THE    WATCH. 

eaten,  in  case  of  need,  she  was  permitted  to  encumber 
herself  with  her  favorites.  Jack  made  her  a  light  bas- 
ket for  them,  of  a  portable  form ;  he  then  proceeded  to 
pack,  compress,  and  arrange  the  baggage  in  convenient 
burdens  for  each  ;  while  Jenny  baked  in  the  oven,  which 
she  greatly  regretted  having  to  abandon,  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  biscuits  to  fill  two  large  bags.  The  boots 
had  all  been  thoroughly  repaired  during  the  rains ;  and, 
as  it  was  probable  they  would  have  to  set  out  before  the 
weather  was  settled,  the  skins  of  the  opossums  were 
sewed  into  cloaks,  to  protect  them. 

Thus,  during  one  day  of  continuous  rain,  when  no 
signs  of  the  savages  were  seen,  they  were  able  to  make 
all  ready  for  the  flight,  which  was  now  become  abso- 
lutely necessary  ;  and  it  was  proposed  that  the  next 
morning,  though  the  clouds  still  threatened  a  continu- 
ance of  rain,  they  should  make  a  last  substantial  break- 
fast in  their  secure  sanctuary,  and  then  set  out  at  once. 
The  breakfast  was  eaten,  and  the  burdens  apportioned ; 
but,  before  they  ventured  to  emerge,  the  boys  ran  off 
to  take  a  survey  of  the  plains  from  their  watch-tower, 
and  hastily  returned  to  announce  the  vexatious  intelli- 
gence that  the  whole  body  of  the  savages  had  passed 
through  the  devastated  forest,  and  were  already  ascend- 
ing the  side  of  the  mountain. 

"  Now  for  the  defence  !  "  exclaimed  Hugh,  seizing  his 
gun,  and  placing  the  ladder  at  the  opening. 

"  Remove  the  ladder,  Hugh,"  said  Arthur.  "  Re- 
member that  papa  has  given  all  authority  to  me.  Do 
nothing  but  what  I  command." 

Hugh  made  a  grimace,  and  touched  his  cap. 

"  You,  Gerald,  had  better  go  to  the  watch-tower," 
continued  Arthur.  "  Margaret  and  papa,  Jenny,  Ruth, 


A   FRIGHT    FOK    THE    FOE.  299 

Baldabella,  and  the  child,  will  accompany  you.  We 
shall  have  sufficient  force  to  defend  the  cave  here." 

"But  Margaret  can  watch.  Do  let  me  have  some 
work,  Arthur,"  said  Gerald. 

"  Very  well,  then,  you  shall  be  aide-de-camp,  and 
bring  me  the  reports  of  sentinel  Margaret.  Away! 
away  !  "  said  Arthur. 

Margaret  was  placed  on  the  ledge,  to  watch,  and  re- 
ported that  Peter,  followed  by  the  unwilling  savages, 
was  already  on  the  height.  She  saw  the  keen-eyed 
convict  examine  the  ground,  and  take  up  a  scorched 
potato-stalk,  with  some  of  the  bulbs  hanging  to  it, 
which  had  been  imprudently  left.  He  then  went  for- 
ward to  the  stone-lined  reservoir,  which  was  plainly 
the  work  of  man  ;  and  pointed  it  out  to  his  followers, 
as  well  as  some  tracks  on  the  soft  earth.  The  natives, 
however,  looked  sullen,  did  not  reply,  but  gazed  anx- 
iously round,  as  if  expecting  some  unusual  appearance  ; 
and  all  shrunk  together  beneath  the  rocky  wall  in 
which  the  watchers  were  concealed. 

When  Margaret  communicated  her  observations,  Bal- 
dabella said,  "  Black  fellow  look  for  Bayl-yas  —  bad 
spirit  ;  they  not  know  good  white  man  pray,  send  Bayl- 
yas  away."  , 

"  Now,  Meggie,"  said  Gerald,  springing  up  the  ladder 
to  her  side  ;  "  I  '11  give  them  a  fright,  and  disperse 
them ; "  and  the  imprudent  boy  uttered  a  deep  un- 
earthly groan.  In  a  moment  the  men  darted  forward, 
and  were  springing  down  the  steep,  when  the  com- 
manding voice  of  their  leader  recalled  them  ;  and  Mar- 
garet, with  much  vexation,  saw  that  he  was  explaining 
the  cause  of  their  alarm,  for  he  pointed  to  the  spot 
where  she  stood,  in  a  menacing  manner.  He  continued 


300  THE    CLOSE    SIEGE. 

to  speak  to  the  men  in  a  tone  of  exultation,  waving  his 
arms,  till  he  induced  them  to  return  and  accompany 
him  in  his  search. 

"  Away,  at  once,  foolish  boy,"  said  Margaret  ;  "  and 
tell  Arthur  all  we  have  seen,  and  your  imprudent  act. 
They  will  not  leave  the  spot  now,  till  they  have  found 
our  hiding-place." 

Poor  Gerald,  completely  crest-fallen,  hastened  to 
make  his  report  and  his  confession  ;  and  Arthur  saw 
plainly  they  should  now  be  obliged  to  have  recourse  to 
arms.  He  ordered  Hugh  to  wait  till  he  should  have 
fired  off  his  two  barrels,  arid  then  to  take  his  place  till 
he  should  have  time  to  reload.  The  ammunition  was 
put  in  charge  of  Wilkins  and  Jack  to  serve  out ;  and. 
cruel  as  was  the  necessity,  Arthur  trusted  they  might 
thus  defend  their  position,  and  weary  out  even  the  ma- 
lignant and  stubborn  convict. 

There  could  be  no  doubt  discovery  must  soon  take 
place,  as  the  light  by  degrees  poured  into  the  cave, 
through  the  small  openings  which  the  savages  uncov- 
ered one  after  another.  Still  Peter  saw  none  of  these 
could  possibly  be  the  entrance  to  any  concealment ;  but 
at  length  he  stepped  on  the  large  slab  ;  it  was  immedi- 
ately removed,  and  a  shout  of  exultation  arose,  as  the 
large  chasm  pointed  out  the  retreat  of  the  persecuted 
family.  For  a  moment  there  was  a  pause  :  even  if  the 
descent  had  been  easy,  the  men  were  not  so  rash  as  to 
throw  themselves  into  the  clutches  of  their  foes  belcw, 
and  spears  directed  against  an  unseen  enemy  would  be 
wasted.  Then  Peter  leaned  over  the  opening,  frnd 
called  out,  — 

"  Come  on,  ye  cowards,  and  fight  fairly  if  ye  can,  or 
else  hand  up  them  guns,  wi'  yer  powder  and  cash,  and 


STORMING    THE    ENTRANCE.  301 

then  cut  off,  vagabonds  as  ye  are,  or  I  '11  make  this  den 
o\ver  hot  to  baud  ye." 

Arthur  made  a  sign  of  silence,  for  he  saw  Wilkins 
was  impatient  and  very  much  inclined  to  indulge  in 
pouring  out  invectives  against  his  former  companion. 
Then  a  few  spears  and  stones  were  flung  down  at  ran- 
dom, which  were  easily  avoided  by  the  besieged,  who 
had  ensconced  themselves  in  niches  of  the  rock,  and  the 
light-hearted  boys  could  scarcely  restrain  their  laughter 
at  the  futile  attempts.  But  the  resolute  convict  was 
not  to  be  baffled  ;  he  was  heard  speaking  to  his  follow- 
ers in  their  own  language,  and  Baldabella  was  placed 
near  enough  to  hear  and  interpret.  When  she  had  lis- 
tened a  few  minutes,  she  turned  to  Arthur  with  a  look 
of  terror,  and  said,  —  "  Bad  Peter  say,  '  Burn  all !  burn 
white  jin !  black  jin !  Nakinna !  good  master !  all  burn  ! ' " 

The  next  moment  confirmed  the  woman 's  report,  for 
flaming  brands  thrown  into  the  cave  announced  the  des- 
perate plan  of  the  besiegers.  Arthur  called  for  water, 
and  buckets  of  water  were  brought  to  quench  each 
brand  as  it  fell ;  but  the  suffocating  smoke  in  that  con- 
fined spot  was  intolerable. 

"  We  must  end  this  nuisance,  or  we  shall  be  stifled," 
said  Arthur  ;  and  as  Peter  himself,  with  an  armful  of 
kindled  brushwood,  bent  over  to  cast  it  below,  Arthur 
fired  on  him,  and  the  man  fell  back  beneath  the  flaming 
branches,  which  were  scattered  over  him  ;  then  calling 
for  the  ladder,  which  had  been  brought  near,  the  in- 
trepid youth  mounted  to  the  opening,  fired  again  into 
the  midst  of  the  assembled  savages,  and,  rapidly  de- 
scending, removed  the  ladder. 

The  yells  and  groans  they  heard  from  above  afforded 
sufficient  proof  that  the  shots  had  taken  effect,  and 
26  . 


302  PETER'S  DECEPTION. 

Hugh  and  Gerald  were  sent  to  the  watch-tower  to 
make  observations.  They  saw  that  Peter  was  able  to 
stand,  supported  by  two  men,  but  his  right  arm  appeared 
to  be  powerless  ;  a  wound  in  the  shoulder  was  bleeding, 
and  he  was  raging  and  stamping  with  agony,  evidently 
from  the  burns  he  had  received,  for  the  savages  were 
applying  some  leaves  to  his  breast  and  face. 

"  1  have  never  had  a  shot  yet,"  said  Hugh,  when  he 
returned.  "  It  is  very  hard,  Arthur  —  pray  let  me  run 
up  the  ladder  and  scatter  a  few  of  the  rascals." 

"  No,  no  !  my  dear  Hugh,"  answered  Arthur ;  "  such 
a  measure  would  be  wanton  and  inhuman  at  this  mo- 
ment. These  wretched  savages  are  mere  machines  in 
the  hands  of  the  villain  whose  own  cruel  designs  have 
recoiled  on  himself.  If  they  had  never  met  this  man, 
they  might  perhaps  have  been  troublesome  and  annoy- 
ing to  us,  but  a  little  experience  of  our  superior  knowl- 
edge and  power  would  have  relieved  us  from  them. 
Now  even,  they  are  not  detained  near  us  from  choice, 
for  they  evidently  abhor  and  dread  the  place,  but  they 
stay  to  fulfil  the  duties  of  humanity  to  this  wretch  who 
has  so  unaccountably  beguiled  them." 

"  I  '11  tell  ye  how  he  came  round  'em,  Mr.  Arthur," 
said  Wilkins.  "  I  heared  'em  say  when  I  were  chained 
up  yonder,  as  how  that  good-to-nought  were  a  head 
man,  and  husband  to  one  of  their  jins,  and  he  'd  been 
speared  and  killed  outreet  by  some  black  fellows  down 
south,  and  now  he  were  sent  back  to 'em  wi'  a  white 
skin.  Peter  made  'em  swallow  all  that  rigmarole,  cun- 
ning dog  as  he  is." 

"  I  have  read,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  "  that  some  of 
these  ignorant  tribes  have  such  an  extraordinary  super- 
stition :  believing  that  the  souls  of  the  departed  revisit 


AN    OPPORTUNITY    OF    ESCAPE.  303 

the  earth  in  the  form  of  white  men.  There  is  blended 
with  this  faith  a  strange  recognition  of  the  doctrine  of 
immortality,  and,  we  might  hope,  of  regeneration ;  but 
the  crimes  of  this  wretch  in  that  which  they  believe  to 
be  his  second  life  must  have  startled  even  the  untaught 
heathens  whom  he  has  thus-  deceived." 

"  They  're  off,  Mr.  Arthur,"  said  Wilkins,  who  had  as- 
cended to  the  opening  to  look  round;  "there's  not  a 
soul  left.  I  reckon  they'd  be  right  glad  to  quit;  and 
that  rogue  Peter's  not  in  a  way  to  trouble  us  for  one 
bit ;  so,  what  say  ye,  master,  if  we  were  to  bolt  afore 
they  d  settled  what  to  do  ?  Here 's  t'  mistress  seems  all 
ready." 

"I  am  quite  ready,  Wilkins,"  said  Margaret,  "and 
agree  with  you.  It  appears  to  me,  Arthur,  that  oui 
best  hope  is,  to  snatch  this  opportunity  to  get  the  advan- 
tage of  a  few  hours'  start,  that  we  may  not  be  easily 
overtaken  when  that  wicked  man  is  sufficiently  recov- 
ered to  take  the  field  again." 

"  And  mind,  Mr.  Arthur,  sharp 's  t'  word,"  said  Wil- 
kins, "  if  we  want  to  beat  him.  He  let  me  into  his 
schemes  a  bit,  as  how  he  meant  to  get  them  fellows  after 
him  down  south  to  join  a  lot  of  bushrangers  as  was  to 
meet  him.  Ye  see,  we  're  not  top  walkers,  at  no  time  ; 
and  wi'  all  this  stuff  to  hug,  we  'd  better  be  trotting." 

"  Make  ready  ! "  cried  Gerald,  tying  on  his  knapsack 
of  bark,  and  putting  into  one  pocket  a  canister  of 
powder,  and  into  the  other  a  bag  of  shot ;  "  we  must 
trot,  as  Wilkins  sayr,  as  well  as  fellows  can  trot  carry- 
ing such  burdens  as  ours.  I  say,  Arty,  have  n't  I  got 
my  share  ?  " 

"  You  have  indeed,  my  boy,' '  answered  Arthur.  "  I 
fear  you  will  not  be  able  to  get  on  long  under  such  a 


304  THE    RETREAT. 

heavy  burden ;  but  we  must  try,  at  first  however,  to 
carry  as  much  away  as  we  can  bear.  Take  your  bow 
to  support  you,  and  mount  the  ladder.  Now,  Hugh." 

Hugh  was  similarly  laden,  but  carried  a  gun  instead 
of  a  bow.  Ruth  would  not  resign  her  fowls,  and  had 
in  addition  the  serious  weight  of  a  large  bag  of  pota- 
toes. Margaret,  Jenny,  and  Baldabella  carried  the 
bread  and  the  remainder  of  the  potatoes,  the  poor  native 
having  in  addition  the  charge  of  her  child.  Mr.  May- 
burn  was  laden  with  the  shells  and  buckets  which  con- 
stituted their  household  furniture  ;  and  Arthur,  Wilkins, 
and  Jack  cleared  off  all  the  rest  of  the  weapons  and 
bags.  The  descent  to  the  plains  had  been  rendered 
easy  by  the  conflagration,  which  had  almost  entirely  de- 
stroyed the  forest,  and  the  travellers  chose  their  path 
in  a  direction  opposite  to  the  wood  which  was  the  abode 
of  the  natives.  They  toiled  on  with  swift  feet  and  anx- 
ious hearts,  scarcely  conscious  of  their  heavy  burdens, 
for  two  hours ;  in  which  time  they  had  left  their  deso- 
lated sanctuary  far  away  to  the  north. 

The  ground  was  level  and  fertile,  and  the  weather 
favorable ;  for  the  sun  was  overclouded,  though  no  rain 
was  falling;  and  relaxing  their  extreme  speed,  they  still 
continued  to  walk  on,  till  downright  fatigue  and  hunger 
pointed  out  the  necessity  of  rest.  The  best  place  for 
their  encampment  that  they  could  select  was  in  the 
midst  of  a  thicket  of  the  tea-shrub  and  other  low  brush- 
wood. The  young  men  with  their  axes  cleared  a  spot 
for  a  fire,  and  niches  for  sleeping-places ;  they  plucked 
the  fresh  leaves  from  the  plants  to  make  tea,  and  enjoyed 
their  coarse  biscuit,  soothed  by  the  silver  tones  of  the 
bell-bird,  the  musical  piping  of  the  organ-magpie,  and 


THE    RETREAT.  305 

the  soft  cry  of  an  invisible  bird,  the  curious'  notes  of 
which  resembled  those  of  the  curlew, 

Night  fell  on  them  with  all  the  beauty  of  the  tropical 
regions ;  the  soft  breeze  loaded  with  fragrance  from  the 
luxuriant  flowers  revived  by  the  recent  rains,  the  bright 
stars  above  their  heads,  the  brilliant  fire-flies  floating 
round  them,  the  dying  notes  of  the  half  hushed  birds, 
the  incessant  hum  of  the  restless  insect  tribes ;  all  was 
harmony,  inspiring  devout  and  holy  thoughts ;  and  the 
weary  travellers  slept  happily  and  trustfully  till  morning 
awoke  them  to  resume  their  labors. 


26* 


CHAPTER   XXIII. 

A  Bark  Sledge.— The  Friendly  Tribe.  — The  Wild  Melon.  — A 
Nocturnal  Alarm.  —  The  Wombats.  —  The  Bivouac  on  the  Heath. 
—  The  Savages  again.  —  Away  to  the  South. 

THE  women  had  prepared  breakfast,  and  Arthur  was 
becoming  impatient,  before  Jack  and  the  two  young  boys 
appeared,  dragging  after  them  a  large  sheet  of  bark,  to 
which  they  had  attached  ropes. 

"  It  was  Jack's  thought ! "  exclaimed  Gerald.  "  Is  it 
not  a  capital  plan?  —  the  baggage- w agon  !  Off  with 
your  knapsack,  Arty  ;  Jenny,  bring  your  pots  and  pans. 
Every  thing  must  be  tied  on  our  sledge,  and  we  will 
draw  it  in  turns  —  two  men  to  form  a  team." 

"  It  will  be  a  great  relief,  certainly,"  said  Arthur,  "  so 
long  as  the  plains  continue  tolerably  clear  and  level; 
but,  I  fear,  over  the  matted  brush  or  the  rugged  moun- 
tain we  shall  find  it  useless." 

"  Why  then,  Mr.  Arthur,"  said  Jack,  "  it  will  only  be 
taking  up  our  loads  a  bit,  and  leaving  the  sledge.  We 
can  soon  cut  another  sheet  when  the  road  gets  smoother.'* 

The  sledge  answered  admirably,  and,  relieved  from 
their  burdens,  they  went  on  for  several  days,  over  well- 
watered  and  well-wooded  plains,  without  interruption, 
and  without  delay,  except  when  the  disengaged  youths 
lingered  behind  to  shoot  a  few  pheasants  or  cockatoos, 
that  the  bread  might  not  be  too  soon  exhausted.  In  a 
week  after  they  had  left  the  cave,  they  saw  kangaroos 
again,  and  even  the  sledge  was  abandoned,  that  all  might 

(306) 


HE    FRIENDLY    TRIBE.  307 

join  in  the  chase.  After  a  long  hunt,  they  succeeded  in 
kifling  one  ;  and  the  weather  being  now  less  sultry,  they 
were  able  to  preserve  the  meat  for  two  days.  The  skin 
was  cleaned  and  dried,  and  then  converted  into  bags  for 
the  biscuit,  for  showers  of  rain  still  fell  occasionally, 
and  they  had  been  compelled  to  take  off  their  cloaks 
to  protect  their  valuable  food. 

One  evening,  an  unwelcome  return  of  the  heavy  rain 
induced  them  to  look  anxiously  round  for  some  shelter, 
and  turning  round  a  clump  of  tall  bushes,  they  came 
suddenly  on  a  cluster  of  scattered  huts,  formed  of  green 
boughs  and  open  in  front.  Beneath  these  canopies  sev- 
eral women,  wearing  cloaks  of  fur,  were  employed  in 
pounding  grain  or  nuts  between  two  stones,  while  they 
sung  some  song  in  a  low,  musical  tone,  and  in  perfect 
harmony. 

Outside  the  huts  stood  several  tall  men.  They  had 
a  single  loose  garment  of  fur  cast  round  them,  but  the 
bust  was  wholly  uncovered,  and  marked  by  many  raised 
cicatrices.  They  were  engaged  in  making  arrows  or 
spears,  and  never  raised  their  heads  from  their  employ- 
ment ;  but,  with  the  usual  dignified  indifference  of  the 
savage,  did  not  appear  to  notice  the  approach  of  the 
strangers,  though  probably  they  had  never  before  seen 
the  white  man.  Even  the  women  continued  their  work 
and  their  song ;  and  it  was  only  when  Baldabella,  who 
had  been  introduced  by  her  protectors,  went  forward, 
holding  her  child,  to  ask  the  women  to  give  some  good 
white  people  shelter  from  the  rain  in  their  huts,  that 
the  men  turned  to  listen,  and  the  women  suspended 
their  labor.  The  head  of  the  family,  pointing  out  an 
empty  hut,  spoke  to  Baldabella,  and  said,  as  she  inter- 


308  NEW   FRUITS. 

preted  his  words,  "  That  very  good  for  white  man ;  foi 
black  man ;  plenty  rain  make  much  cold." 

Glad  of  the  refuge,  while  Baldabella  remained  to  talk 
to  the  women  of  the  tribe,  the  rest  took  possession  of 
the  slight  hut,  and  prepared  their  supper  of  the  remains 
of  the  kangaroo,  of  which  they  invited  their  friendly 
hosts  to  partake.  The  natives  now  assembled  round 
them  with  some  curiosity,  tasted  the  seethed  kangaroo, 
and  seemed  to  relish  it;  rejected  the  roasted  potatoes 
with  disgust,  but  greedily  enjoyed  the  biscuit,  especially 
the  jumbles,  as  the  boys  called  them,  which  were  fla- 
vored with  the  juice  of  the  figs. 

Then  the  women  in  return  for  this  hospitality, 
brought  to  them  some  pods,  which  Arthur  recognized 
to  be  the  fruit  of  the  Acacia  stenophylla,  the  seeds,  or 
nuts,  resembling  in  flavor  the  cachou-nut.  They  brought 
also  a  small  melon,  or  cucumber,  now  ripe  and  sweet, 
with  which  the  plains  that  the  travellers  had  crossed 
this  clay  had  been  covered ;  but  they  had  not  ventured 
to  eat  it  till  now,  when  they  saw  how  the  natives  en- 
joyed it. 

"  It  certainly  belongs  to  one  of  the  most  useful  orders 
of  plants  considered  as  the  food  of  man,"  said  Mr.  May- 
burn  ;  "  and,  as  far  as  I  can  determine  from  recollec- 
tion, I  believe  it  to  be  the  Oucumis  pubescens.  This  is 
truly  a  country  of  rich  and  abundant  resources ;  want- 
ing but  the  light  of  civilization  and  religion  to  render  it 
a  paradise." 

"  Surely,  papa,"  said  Margaret,  "  our  countrymen 
acted  unwisely  when  they  suffered  the  first  steps  into 
these  lovely  and  untrodden  wilds  to  be  made  by  the 
vilest  of  criminals.  Alas !  alas !  what  must  the  igno- 
rant natives  think  of  such  Christian  missionaries  ! " 


A   NIGHT    AT    THE    HUTS.  309 

"It  was  an  error,  Margaret,"  answered  her  father, 
"  wide  in  its  mischief,  fatal  in  its  results ;  and  genera- 
tions must  paes  away  before  the  error  can  be  rectified. 
But  a  purer  and  holier  influence  is  at  work ;  and,  in  his 
own  good  time,  God  will  assuredly  enlighten  the  people, 
through  the  efforts  of  his  faithful  servants.  Would  that 
I  were  able  to  take  my  share  in  the  great  work !  but, 
alas !  I  am  but  the  barren  fig-tree,  and  continually  I 
hear  that  awful  sentence  ringing  in  my  ear,  *  Cut  it 
down  ;  why  cumbereth  it  the  ground  ? ' ' 

The  earnest  father  then  called  on  his  family  to  kneel 
in  prayer,  while  the  natives  stood  round  in  silent  won- 
der, especially  when  they  remarked  the  devout  de- 
meanor of  Baldabella,  and  heard  the  little  child  mur- 
muring in  English  the  responses,  in  imitation  of  her 
kind  teachers.  After  prayers  the  women  seemed  to  be 
earnestly  questioning  Baldabella ;  and  Margaret  was 
pleased  to  hear  the  woman  speak  long  and  earnestly  to 
the  questioners,  for  she  was  convinced  that  Baldabella 
was  truly  a  Christian  in  faith,  so  far  as  her  simple  mind 
could  comprehend  the  faith. 

Though  they  considered  it  prudent  to  keep  a  watch, 
the  sleep  of  the  family  was  not  disturbed  by  any  fears, 
for  these  natives  seemed  quiet  and  inoffensive ;  and 
through  Baldabella  they  learnt  that  they  had  ever 
shunned  the  restless  and  destructive  tribes  to  the  north, 
and  a  still  more  dangerous  people,  whom  they  spoke  of 
with  terror,  as  the  tribes  of  the  "  Great  River,"  to  the 
south.  But,  the  interpreter  added,  they  did  not  like 
the  white  people  who  came  to  kill  the  menuah,  as  they 
named  the  kangaroo  ;  and  the  emu,  and  to  carry  off 
their  weapons.  But  they  were  satisfied  that  these  white 
strangers  were  peaceful  like  themselves,  and  they  wished 


310  OVER    THE    MOUNTAINS. 

them  well,  and  would  show  them  the  way  through  the 
mountains. 

The  weary  travellers  gratefully  accepted  this  offer, 
for  the  prospect  of  having  to  ascend,  without  guidance, 
a  line  of  mountains  which  cut  off  their  progress  to  the 
south,  and  of  being  compelled  to  resume  their  heavy 
burdens,  was  alarming.  Early  in  the  morning  they 
sought  the  women,  to  present  them  with  some  biscuit 
and  with  a  pair  of  fowls,  of  which  Baldabella  undertook 
to  explain  the  great  usefulness,  and  the  domestic  habits 
and  proper  mode  of  feeding. 

Then  they  once  more  set  out,  guided  by  the  chief 
among  the  natives  ;  and  having  skirted  the  mountains 
for  three  or  four  miles  to  the  east,  found  a  narrow  gorge, 
through  which  a  shallow  rill  ran  towards  the  south, 
along  the  flowery  margin  of  which  they  passed  till  they 
came  upon  another  wide  plain,  less  wooded  and  fertile 
than  that  which  they  had  left,  but  grown  over  with  the 
Cucumis  laden  with  fruit.  This  plain  was  perforated 
with  dangerous  holes,  which  their  guide  told  them  were 
the  dens  of  a  large  animal,  very  fierce,  which  he  called 
the  Wombat,  and  which  the  boys  were  filled  with  a  great 
desire  to  encounter  and  vanquish. 

Once  on  the  plains,  the  native  pointed  out  the  direc- 
tion which  they  were  to  follow,  greatly  to  the  east  of 
south.  He  shook  his  head  when  they  intimated  their 
wish  to  proceed  due  south,  and,  according  to  Baldabella, 
declared  there  was  "  no  water  "  —  a  most  important  ob- 
jection to  the  route.  Arthur  gave  the  man  one  of  the 
table-knives,  much  to  the  discontent  of  Jenny  and  the 
great  delight  of  the  receiver ;  and  the  gratified  native 
stood  watching  them  for  some  time,  and  then  slowly  re- 
turned to  his  people. 


THE    WOMBATS.  311 

*l  Now  for  the  wombats  ! "  exclaimed  Gerald,  looking 
anxiously  down  into  one  of  the  dens  of  these  unknown 
animals.  But  all  was  still  and  dark  ;  and  Arthur  begged 
that  there  might  be  no  delay,  as,  in  all  probability,  the 
animals  could  only  be  drawn  from  their  retreats  by  dogs, 
or  be  surprised  by  long  watching,  and  time  was  now 
too  precious  to  be  v^pent  on  such  an  uncertain  pursuit 
Continuing,  therefore,  to  follow  the  course  of  the  slender 
rivulet,  which,  however,  soon  became  but  a  chain  of 
pools,  they  travelled  for  several  miles,  eating,  as  they 
went  on,  the  juicy  melons,  as  they  called  the  Cucumis, 
till  the  sight  of  a  smoke  in  the  direction  of  the  pool^  in- 
duced them  reluctantly  to  forsake  even  this  small  sup- 
ply of  water,  and  to  diverge  directly  to  the  south,  till 
they  should  have  passed  the  danger  of  encountering 
another  tribe,  who  might  prove  less  friendly  than  their 
late  hosts. 

The  sudden  fall  of  night  compelled  them  to  rest  at  a 
spot  where  no  water  was  to  be  discovered,  and,  too  late, 
they  regretted  that  they  had  not  brought  a  supply  from 
the  pools.  Reluctantly  they  made  their  only  meal  of 
the  day  on  bread ;  fortunately  they  were  able  to  add 
melons ;  still  the  privation  was  felt  ;  they  were  unsatis- 
fied and  much  depressed,  till  calmed  by  the  blessed  influ- 
ence of  prayer.  Then  all  anxiety  was  hushed  by  a 
sound  sleep  on  the  wide,  treeless  plain. 

They  had  slept  some  hours,  when  Arthur  was 
awaked  by  a  startling  cry,  and,  springing  up  in  alarm, 
he  seized  his  gun,  and  called  hastily  to  Jack  to  follow 
him.  The  moon  was  shining  brightly,  and  they  were 
enabled  to  see  some  moving  objects  at  no  great  dis- 
tance, towards  which  they  quickly  directed  their  steps, 
and,  on  drawing  near,  they  heard  the  voice  of  O'Brien 


312  A    HARMLESS    ANIMAL. 

crying  out,  "  Arthur !  Arthur !  come  and  kill  these 
frightful  beasts  !  I  shall  be  worried  ! " 

They  now  saw  the  head  of  O'Brien,  who,  supported 
only  by  his  hands,  had  sunk  into  a  hole  or  den,  and  was 
surrounded  by  a  troop  of  hideous  large  animals,  with 
the  form  of  a  bear  and  the  nose  of  a  badger.  They 
were  actually  running  over  the  boy,  and  apparently 
very  uneasy  at  his  intrusion.  Jack's  spear  soon  de- 
spatched one  of  the  animals  ;  the  rest  fled  to  their  dens 
at  the  sight  of  more  invaders  of  their  homes  ;  and 
O'Brien  was  dragged  from  the  hole  he  had  accidentally 
taken  possession  of,  and  scolded  by  Arthur  for  his  im- 
prudence. It  appeared  that  he  had,  while  lying  awake, 
seen  one  of  the  wombats  roaming  about  in  search  of 
food,  and  while  pursuing  it  with  his  spear  he  had  fallen 
into  the  den,  and  by  his  cries  raised  the  whole  commu- 
nity of  these  social  and  harmless  beasts,  which,  power- 
ful and  numerous  as  they  were,  had  attempted  no  injury 
against  the  rude  invader. 

The  wombat  Jack  had  killed  was  about  the  size  of  a 
sheep  ;  they  divested  it  of  its  smooth  thick  fur  skin, 
which  was  hung  up  to  dry  immediately.  In  the  morn- 
ing th'ey  had  an  opportunity  of  examining  the  curious, 
clumsy  animals,  which  were  still  busily  feeding.  Wil- 
kins  declared  their  flesh  to  be  delicate  and  excellent 
food  ;  but,  without  water,  no  one  felt  any  appetite  for 
meat. 

"  Doubtless,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  "  this  creature  is 
the  Phascolomys  ursinus,  partaking  of  the  form  of  the 
bear  and  the  hog  ;  but,  like  the  great  majority  of  Aus- 
tralian animals,  marsupial." 

"  He  is  an  ugly  fellow,"  said  Hugh,  "  with  his  huge 
oody  and  short  legs  ;  but  his  skin  is  capital  ;  we  will 


THE    WELCOME    SHOWER.  313 

clean  it  to  make  a  mattrass  for  papa,  and  we  must  have 
another  skin  for  Margaret.  After  all,  Jenny,  a  wom- 
bat-steak will  be  more  juicy  than  this  dreadful  dry, 
husky  biscuit  ;  and  I  suppose  we  must  try  to  eat,  or  we 
shall  never  have  strength  to  get  out  of  this  desert." 

The  steaks  were  really  -excellent  with  sliced  melon, 
if  the  travellers  could  have  relished  food  without  water  ; 
and  after  breakfast  they  set  out,  again  eagerly  watching 
for  signs  of  water  ;  but  no  one  feeling  sufficient  energy 
to  execute  another  wombat  before  they  departed.  They 
continued  to  struggle  on  over  a  loose  sandy  soil,  cov- 
ered with  a  bush  resembling  the  heath,  so  dear  to  the 
northern  people  of  Great  Britain  ;  the  very  sight  of 
which  cheered  the  thirsty  wanderers  in  the  dry  desert  ; 
and  they  talked  of  the  moors  of  home  till  their  steps 
grew  lighter.  But  the  toil  of  dragging  the  light  sledge 
over  or  through  the  bushes  became  hard  labor  ;  and 
at  length  Mr.  Mayburn,  exhausted  with  thirst,  was  so 
overcome  that  two  of  the  young  men  had  to  support 
him,  as  they  slowly  moved  on  to  escape  from  this  des- 
ert. 

"  Keep  up  your  heart,  master,"  said  the  attached  Wil- 
kins  ;  "  and  Jenny,  woman,  be  getting  yer  cans  ready  ; 
we  'se  have  a  sup  of  rain  afore  long,  depend  on  't.  Now 
some  of  ye  light-heeled  young  uns,  run  on,  and  seek  out 
a  shelter  for  t'  master." 

The  sky  was  dark,  the  thunder  rumbled  at  a  distance, 
and  the  young  people  looked  round  in  happy  anxiety 
for  some  shelter  ;  but  in  vain,  —  not  even  a  tree  was  to 
be  seen  ;  and  at  last  they  were  obliged  to  content  them- 
selves with  a  little  cleared  spot,  backed  by  a  low  brush- 
covered  hill,  and  surrounded  by  the  tea-shrub  mingled 
with  the  graceful  heath.  There  they  hollowed  out  a 
27 


314  A    RAINY    NIGHT. 

sort  of  recess  in  the  soft  sandy  hill-side,  before  which 
they  hung  the  skin  of  the  wombat,  that  Mr.  May  burn 
and  Margaret,  at  least,  might  be  sheltered.  By  this 
time  the  rain  had  begun  to  fall  in  torrents,  and  every 
vessel  they  had  brought  away  was  placed  to  catch  the 
precious  drops. 

Then  the  boys  made  forms  as  they  called  them,  be- 
neath the  brushwood,  into  which  they  crept,  to  escape, 
as  far  as  they  could,  the  deluge  of  rain.  But  ever  and 
anon  a  hand  was  stretched  out  to  obtain  a  draught  of 
the  lorig-pined-for  water  ;  and  though  they  declared  it 
tasted  warm,  they  felt  so  refreshed  that  there  succeeded 
a  great  appetite  for  wombat-steak,  which  could  not, 
however,  be  gratified  ;  for  to  attempt  to  make  a  fire 
was  hopeless. 

"  What  charming  dormitories  we  have !  "  said  Ger- 
ald. "  The  rain  dripping  through  these  narrow-leaved 
shrubs  and  dabbling  your  face  all  night  long,  will  be  so 
comfortable.  I  don't  think  a  wombat's  den  would  be 
such  a  bad  thing  to-night.  Ruth,  how  do  the  cocks  and 
hens  like  this  weather  ?  " 

"  I  keeps  'em  covered  an  under  my  cloak,  Master  Ger- 
ald," answered  she  ;  "  but,  bonnie  things,  they  trem- 
mel  and  cower  all  of  a  heap.  You  see,  birds  and  such- 
like, are  all  for  sunshine." 

"And  sunshine  enough  they  've  had  here,  Ruth,"  re- 
plied he ;  "  and  now  we  must  not  be  unthankful  for  the 
rain  we  wanted  much.  Pleasant  dreams  to  you  all,  my 
friends ! "  called  out  the  lively  boy,  as  he  dived  under 
the  bushes,  to  scratch  himself  out  a  den,  as  he  said. 
But  the  rain  and  the  thunder  prevented  much  sleep, 
and  at  the  first  gleam  of  light,  the  boys  issued  from 
their  comfortless  dens,  with  some  dry-  twigs  which  had 


THE    FOE    AT    HAND.  o!5 

formed  their  beds,  and  with  which  they  proposed, 
though  the  rain  was  still  falling,  to  make  a  fire  to  cook 
some  meat.  But  before  they  could  accomplish  their 
plan,  they  were  disturbed  by  a  trampling  among  the 
bushes,  and  the  sound  of  human  voices. 

"  The  savages  !  the  savages  !  "  whispered  Hugh  ;  "  I 
think  I  can  distinguish  the  voice  of  Black  Peter." 

"  Scatter  the  twigs,"  said  Arthur  ;  "  put  the  water- 
vessels  underneath  the  bushes.  Draw  these  skins  into 
your  form,  Margaret,  and  crouch  out  of  sight.  Now ! 
now  !  to  cover,  all  of  you  ! " 

They  had  scarcely  given  the  place  the  appearance  of 
being  unvisited,  and  drawn  themselves  securely  under 
the  scrub,  when  the  voices  were  so  close  to  them  that 
they  could  distinguish,  though  they  could  not  under- 
stand the  words.  Only  Black  Peter,  who  pronounced 
the  language  slowly,  was  sufficiently  distinct  for  them 
to  make  out  the  words  signifying  "  mountains "  and 
"  plenty  of  water." 

The  party  passed  close  to  them,  but  without  pausing, 
and  when  the  steps  and  voices  sounded  sufficiently  dis- 
tant, Arthur  looked  out,  and  saw  the  same  men  who 
had  besieged  them  in  their  mountain  retreat,  still  headed 
by  Peter.  All  the  men  were  outrageously  painted 
white  and  red,  though  they  were  partially  covered  with 
opossum  cloaks  to  shelter  them  from  the  rain.  Arthur 
observed  that  they  moved  on  towards  the  east,  where, 
at  a  great  distance,  appeared  a  dark  line,  which  he  con- 
cluded was  the  mountain-range  Peter  had  alluded  to. 

One  after  another  the  alarmed  family  appeared  from 
their  hiding-places  ;  Baldabella  was  eagerly  questioned 
about  their  discourse,  and  she  replied  that  she  had 
heard  Peter  say,  "White  men  go  to  mountain,  find 


316  NATURAL    DEPRAVITY. 

much  water.  Peter  go  to  mountain,  find  plenty  water, 
plenty  white  fellow,  plenty  gun,  knife.  Kill  white  man, 
kill  bad  fellow  Wilkins." 

"She's  reet!  I'll  uphold  her,"  said  Wilkins. 
"  Depend  on  't  Peter 's  beared  of  some  bushrangers 
out  ower  yonder,  and  he  '11  want  to  join  'em.  We  'se 
have  to  keep  clear  of  their  track,  master.  Just  look 
round  ye,  what  chance  should  we  have  again  a  lot  of 
them  desp'rate  rogues,  wi'  guns  in  their  hands,  and 
blood  in  their  hearts  ;  and  when  they  're  fairly  set  on, 
them  blacks  is  as  bad  ;  they  reckon  nought  of  a  dozen 
lives  to  get  haud  on  a  gun." 

"  Whither  shall  we  tiee  ?  "  cried  Mr.  Mayburn,  in  a 
distracted  tone.  "Speak,  Margaret  —  Arthur  —  and 
yon,  my  good  man,  who,  steeped  in  evil,  had  yet 
strength  given  you  to  turn  away  from  it,  guide  and  save 
us !  Alas  !  it  is  but  too  true  ;  man,  civilized  or  savage, 
preserves  his  innate  and  original  depravity.  *  There  is 
none  good  ;  no,  not  one.'  Men  have  spoken  of  the 
simple  and  pure  life  of  the  desert ;  we  see  what  it  is  in 
truth." 

"Yes,  dear  papa,"  said  Margaret,  "we  must  bid 
adieu  to  the  fallacious  dreams  of  poetry,  the  romance  of 
that  golden  age  when  men  were  virtuous  because  they 
were  ignorant.  These  are  men  to  whom  the  tempta- 
tions of  the  world  are  unknown  ;  men  who  have  never 
looked  on  the  brilliant  decorations  of  vice  ;  yet  they 
are  harsh,  cruel,  selfish,  and  faithless.  Is  this  truly  hu- 
man nature,  papa  ?  " 

"  I  fear,  my  child,  it  is  too  truly  human  nature,"  an- 
swered Mr.  Mayburn,  —  "  fallen,  degraded,  unredeemed 
human  nature.  Well  does  a  great  and  wise  writer  on 
the  natural  depravity  of  man  picture  the  ignorant  sav- 


TO    THE    SOUTH.  317 

age  as  ( a  compound  of  pride  and  indolence,  and  selfish- 
ness, and  cunning  and  cruelty  ;  full  of  a  revenge  which 
nothing  could  satiate,  of  a  ferocity  which  nothing  could 
soften  ;  strangers  to  the  most  amiable  sensibilities  of 
nature.'  Then  what  weight  of  sin.  must  rest  on  the 
souls  of  those  who,  having  been  taught  the  way  of  truth 
themselves,  take  advantage  of  the  frailty  of  humanity  to 
lead  these  heathens  into  the  gulf  of  crime.  Woe  to 
those  men  '  who  know  the  best,  and  yet  the  worst  pur- 
sue.' " 

While  they  watched  the  gradual  disappearance  of 
their  enemies,  the  rain  ceased,  and  Jenny  summoned 
the  party  to  the  enjoyment  of  tea  to  their  dry  biscuit, 
before  they  resumed  their  journey,  the  prospect  of 
which  was  still  unpromising. 

"  We  must  now,  defying  all  the  threatened  deserts, 
go  on  towards  the  south,"  said  Arthur,  "  and  evade,  if 
we  possibly  can,  our  implacable  and  inveterate  pursu- 
ers. The  temptation  to  cross  the  eastern  mountains  is 
great,  but  I  fear,  Wilkins,  we  should  hardly  be  safe, 
even  in  the  rear  of  such  dangerous  company." 

"  Nay,  nay !  Mr.  Arthur,  keep  out  of  their  way," 
said  Wilkins.  "  Ye  beared  what  Baldabella  said  about 
their  going  to  rondessvowse  ower  yonder  wi'  them  rogu- 
ish bush-rangers  ;  and  I  see  no  sense  in  running  into 
t'  thick  on  'em." 

"  Certainly  not,  Wilkins,"  answered  Arthur.  "  Then 
we  will  decide  on  a  route  due  south.  So,  forward,  my 
brave  men,  and  let  us  carefully  carry  away  the  water 
we  have  preserved,  for  I  fear  much  we  have  not  yet 
passed  the  wilderness." 

2?* 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 

The  Dry  Wilderness.  —  Despair.  —  The  Coming-down  of  the  Wa- 
ters. —  The  Discomfited  Savages.  —  Hunger  and  Thirst.  —  The 
Footsteps  in  the  Mud.  —  A  Pond.  —  The  Talegalla  and  its  Nest. 
—  The  Valley  of  Promise.  —  The  River  to  the  South. 

IT  was  indeed  on  a  wilderness  they  now  entered, 
where  low  entangled  brushwood  spread  as  far  as  the 
eye  could  extend,  unvaried  by  the  appearance  of  a 
single  tree  rising  above  it  ;  and  as  they  toiled  through 
or  over  this  perplexing  ground,  carrying  the  bark 
sledge,  which  it  was  impossible  to  draw  over  the  bush, 
they  were  often  deceived  by  the  sight  of  a  line  of  tall 
reeds,  the  border  of  the  bed  of  some  river,  now  wholly 
dry,  or  merely  muddy  with  the  rain  of  the  previous  day. 
They  saw  no  animals,  except  two  or  three  emus,  which 
swiftly  fled  from  pursuit  ;  and  they  were  too  eager  to 
escape  from  the  dry  desert  to  waste  time  in  the  chase. 
For  two  days,  successive  morning  suns  showed  them 
the  same  trackless  and  unwatered  heaths  spread  before 
them  ;  then  the  water  was  exhausted,  and  they  turned 
away  with  loathing  from  the  dry  bread  and  potatoes. 

Slowly  and  languidly  they  dragged  on  their  weary 
way,  still  watching  and  hoping  in  vain.  Another  day 
of  suffering  dawned  on  them  ;  and  now  the  scorching 
air,  the  dry  food,  the  fatigue,  and  the  consuming  thirst 
overcame  them  one  after  another,  and  before  evening 
Mr.  Mayburn  said,  "  Let  us  lie  down  here,  Arthur. 
God  has  chosen,  in  His  wisdom,  to  put  this  termination 

(318) 


DESPAIR.  319 

to  our  efforts.  Nature  is  exhausted  ;  let  us  lie  down 
and  prepare  for  death." 

"  Not  so,  my  dear  father,"  answered  Arthur.  v  God 
wills  that  we  should  be  active,  and  strive  to  surmount 
difficulties,  or  He  would  not  have  bestowed  on  us  the 
bounteous  gifts  of  thought  and  action.  Margaret,  I 
know  your  faith  and  resolution  ;  encourage  my  father." 

"You  look  to  me  in  vain,  my  dear  brother,"  said 
Margaret.  "  I  am  unable  to  think  or  to  move.  Save 
our  beloved  father,  and  leave  me  beneath  these  bushes 
to  die.  I  feel  that  death  must  be  near  at  hand." 

"  I  beseech  you  to  rally  your  energy,  my  darling 
Meggie,"  said  her  brother,  in  a  broken  voice.  "  Surely, 
after  the  rain  that  fell  yesterday,  we  must  soon  find 
some  pools.  We  must  not  be  so  weak  as  to  remain 
here,  with  our  pursuers  so  near  to  us,  and  drought  and 
death  around  us.  Let  us  try  at  least  to  cross  this 
muddy  and  deceitful  gorge,  and  be  thankful  ;  for  re- 
member, my  dear  sister,  if  this  had  been  now  a  foaming 
river,  we  should  have  been  unable  to  ford  it,  and  must 
have  been  lost  in  this  desert." 

Margaret  was  too  weak  to  reply,  and  Arthur,  lifting 
her  with  difficulty  in  his  enfeebled  arms,  descended  the 
banks,  and  crossed  the  wide  bed  of  a  river  which  was 
scarcely  moist  emough  to  leave  the  traces  of  his  foot- 
steps. Wilkins  and  Jack  supported  Mr.  Mayburn 
across,  and  the  rest  languidly  followed.  They  crawled 
slowly  up  the  rocky  banks  of  the  opposite  side,  which 
were  covered  with  thick  scrubby  bushes  ;  and  then  be- 
neath a  spreading  acacia,  they  sat  down  to  rest  a  few 
moments,  and  endeavored  to  nerve  themselves  to  endur- 
ance and  exertion. 

"  Surely,  Wilkins,"  said  Arthur,  "  that  lofty  line  of 


320  THE    RETURNING    FOE. 

mountains  which  we  can  still  see  at  the  east,  though  so 
distant,  ought  to  supply  springs  and  streams  to  these 
plains,  and  there  must  be  water  at  no  great  distance. 
You  and  I  are  pretty  stout ;  can  we  not  leave  these  fee- 
ble folks  here,  and  go  on  to  search  for  some  relief  for 
them?" 

"  Look  yonder,  Mr.  Arthur,"  answered  Wilkins,  "just 
atween  us  and  them  mountains,  and  say  if  we  ought  to 
leave  'em  behind  us." 

Arthur  beheld  with  dismay,  at  about  a  mile's  distance, 
a  dark  mass  moving  over  the  bare  plain.  He  saw  that 
the  savages  were  returning,  and  even  his  firm  heart 
failed,  for  here  was  no  shelter  —  no  hope  of  escape. 
He  remained  struck  dumb  for  a  minute  ;  then  he  whis- 
pered to  his  brothers  the  dreadful  fact,  adding,  "  They 
must  be  nearer  than  they  appear  to  be,  for  I  surely 
hear  them  as  well  as  see  them.  Certainly,  some  sound 
breaks  the  stillness  of  this  solitary  desert.  It  must  be 
the  murmur  of  many  voices." 

"  It  seems  to  me  like  men  felling  wood,"  said  Jack. 

"  It  is  more  like  the  blessed  sound  of  water,"  said 
O'Brien,  springing  up. 

Still  the  mass  of  figures,  though  now  more  defined 
and  plainly  recognized  to  be  the  savage  host,  approached 
slowly ;  and  they  could  not  produce  the  strange  rumor, 
which  momentarily  grew  louder,  crackling,  tearing, 
roaring,  like  the  mighty  elephant,  forcing  its  way  through 
the  thicket.  All  the  party  now  heard  in  trembling  fear 
this  unaccountable  phenomenon,  and  the  weeping  wo- 
men knelt  down  to  pray  for  aid  amidst  accumulated  dis- 
tresses. 

"  Father,"  murmured  the  almost  unconscious  Marga- 
ret, "  I  smell  water.  Oh,  give  me  some,  or  I  die." 


COMING    DOWN    OF    THE    WATER.  321 

"It  is  water!"  shouted  O'Brien  "I  said  it  was 
water.  It  is  the  river  coming  down.  Come  on,  Hugh, 
let  us  meet  it ; "  and  he  leaped  down  into  the  bed  of  the 
stream. 

"  Stop  the  lad ! "  cried  Wilkins,  following  and  drag- 
ging him  up  the  bank  again.  "  We'se  ha'e  water 
enough,  and  more  nor  we  want  soon.  Look  ye !  look 
ye  ! "  and  they  saw  a  slender  thread  of  water  come 
crawling  over  the  bed  like  a  silver  snake. 

"  Sharp !  sharp  !  hand  us  a  bucket ! "  called  Wilkins ; 
and,  provided  with  a  bucket,  he  descended  and  quickly 
procured  a  small  quantity  of  water  to  relieve  the  worst 
sufferers ;  but  before  a  second  supply  could  be  obtained, 
he  was  compelled  to  retreat  in  haste,  an4  an  amazing 
spectacle  burst  on  the  eyes  of-  the  beholders.  A  mighty 
tower  of  water  was  seen  to  approach,  rushing,  pouring, 
foaming ;  casting  up  from  it  trunks  of  trees,  drenched  gar- 
lands of  creeping  plants,  and  showers  of  pebbles.  In 
an  incredibly  short  space  of  time  the  resistless  torrent 
had  filled  the  deep  gorge,  and  wa3  splashing  over  the 
rocky  banks. 

Gradually  the  torrent  subsided  into  a  smooth,  deep, 
and  flowing  river,  from  which  the  pining  sufferers  ob- 
tained the  refreshment  they  had  so  long  sought,  and 
then,  with  bended  knees,  offered  up  a  thanksgiving  to 
that  Great  Power  who  had  by  this  providential  event 
rescued  them  from  a  painful  death,  and  interposed  an 
insurmountable  barrier  between  them  and  their  vindic- 
tive enemies,  who,  having  now  approached  near  enough' 
to  be  aware  of  this  unexpected  obstacle,  saw,  with  evi- 
dent wrath,  their  prize  snatched  from  their  grasp.  At 
the  command  of  their  implacable  and  well-known  chief, 
Peter,  some  of  the  most  skilful  threw  their  spears ;  but 


322  THE    ENEMY    DISCOMFITED. 

the  river  was  not  less  than  fifty  yards  across,  besides 
which,  the  strong  east  wind  drifted  away  the  weapons 
from  their  intended  aim ;  and  the  invigorated  and  unin- 
jured family  lost  no  time  in  leaving  the  dangerous  spot, 
and  were  soon  beyond  sight  of  the  stubborn  natives,  and 
the  malicious  bush-ranger. 

"  It  is  plain  they  have  no  means  of  crossing  the  river," 
said  Arthur ;  "  but,  Wilkins,  what  can  have  induced 
them  to  return  from  the  mountains  ?  " 

"  I  reckon  they  '11  have  somehow  missed  their  com- 
rades as  was  to  be,"  answered  Wilkins.  "  Maybe  they  'd 
an  inkling  as  how  we  were  behind  'em  and  not  afore 
Jem ;  and  they  'd  niver  reckon  on  t'  water  coming  down  ; 
and  not  a  soul  among  'em  can  swim,  barring  Peter,  and 
he  knew  better  nor  trust  hisself  among  us  alone.  We  've 
stopped  'em  a  bit  now,  master." 

"Not  we,  Wilkins,  but  God,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn. 
"  It  was  '  the  Lord  that  brought  again  the  waters  upon 
them,'  and  saved  us.  To  His  name  be  the  glory." 

"  We  have  still  before  us  a  long  struggle  through 
these  sterile  wilds,"  said  Arthur;  "but  this  deliverance 
must  give  us  renewed  courage  for  labor  and  privation. 
Now  we  may  afford  to  eat  our  supper,  and  take  our  rest 
without  fear." 

The  strongest  of  the  party,  before  they  left  the  river, 
had  filled  all  the  vessels  with  water,  and  brought  them 
off,  and  very  soon,  almost  within  hearing  of  the  noisy 
savages,  they  made  a  fire,  and  enjoyed  again  the  luxury 
'  of  tea  to  their  potatoes,  before  weary  nature  sought  re- 
pose. But  as  soon  as  it  was  light,  they  set  out,  after 
again  having  tea  to  fit  them  for  another  day  of  toil. 
The  inarch  was  resumed  with  renewed  health  and 
spirits,  but  still  the  monotony  of  the  matted  rough  desert. 


THREATENED    FAMINE.  323 

which  rarely  afforded  a  clear  spot  for  them  to  draw  the 
sledge,  fatigued  and  depressed  them  before  the  day  was 
over.  And  when  they  rested  for  the  evening,  and 
Jenny  produced  the  scanty  remainder  of  potatoes,  and 
the  still  smaller  portion  of  grain,  dismay  sat  on  every 
countenance,  and  Jack  was  the  first  to  demand  that 
Ruth's  basket  might  be  lightened,  and  the  contents  given 
up  to  satisfy  the  hungry  and  healthy  appetite  of  the 
public  in  general. 

It  was  found  on  inspection  that  besides  three  full- 
grown  fowls,  the  girl  was  still  carrying  six  good-sized 
chickens,  the  rest  of  the  brood  having  perished,  from 
accident  or  scanty  food.  Immediately,  as  a  matter  of 
expediency  to  save  the  oats,  to  lessen  the  burden  they 
had  to  carry,  and  to  feed  the  hungry,  sentence  was 
passed  that  two  chickens  should  be  executed  each  day, 
and  it  was  hoped,  before  all  were  eaten,  some  region  of 
more  plenty  might  be  attained. 

With  great  reluctance,  and  floods  of  tears,  Ruth  re- 
linquished her  pets,  and  at  the  end  of  the  three  days, 
only  the  old  fowls  were  left,  and  every  potato,  grain,  and 
drop  of  water  was  gone.  Then,  indeed,  they  realized 
the  misery  of  famine ;  strength  and  cheerfulness  left 
them,  and  they  tottered  reluctantly  forward,  slowly  and 
in  mournful  silence. 

Sometimes  an  emu  was  seen  at  a  distance,  but  none 
had  energy  or  strength  to  chase  it,  and  Arthur,  whose 
mental  vigor  supported  him,  when  all  were  sinking 
round  him,  tried  in  vain  to  rouse  them  from  their  apa- 
thy. 

"  Let  us  struggle  on  a  little  longer,"  he  said.  "  Once 
more  I  see  a  tall  line  ot  reeds,  and  by  God's  mercy,  we 
may  not  be  disappointed  this  time.  Come,  Jack,  you 


324  FOOTSTEPS. 

and  I  will  make  a  forced  march  in  search  of  succor 
for  those  who  are  weaker  than  ourselves  ;  and  if  we 
succeed  we  will  return  to  refresh  and  bring  them  for- 
ward." 

With  buckets  slung  over  their  shoulders,  and  leaning 
on  their  long  spears,  the  two  young  men  strained  every 
nerve  to  reach  the  reeds  like  those  which  had  so  fre- 
quently disappointed  them,  and,  cutting  or  forcing  their 
way  through  the  tall  canes,  they  came  again  on  the  bed 
of  a  river  —  moist  and  muddy,  indeed,  but  not  a  pool  of 
water  was  to  be  seen. 

"  Let  us  ascend  higher ;  we  may  find  a  little,"  said 
Arthur.  "  But,  surely,  Jack,  here  are  footsteps  on  the 
soft  earth.  Some  one  has  been  here  before  us." 

"  Sure  enough  there  has,"  replied  Jack.  "  Men  have 
been  here ;  booted  chaps,  too ;  none  of  the  savages  ; 
anyhow,  not  them  that  we  reckon  savages,  but  like 
enough,  they  '11  be  little  better.  Ay,  their  track  runs 
upward ;  what  say  ye,  Mr.  Arthur,  are  we  to  follow 
it?" 

"We  must  follow  it,  Jack,"  answered  Arthur;  "we 
must  find  water,  or  death  is  inevitable  to  us ;  and  we 
are  better  in  the  rear  of  suspected  foes  than  before  them. 
And  yonder  are  pools  before  us,  God  be  thanked.  Let 
us  drink  and  then  we  will  carry  life  back  to  those  who 
are  in  greater  need  than  ourselves." 

The  pools  afforded  ample  supplies.  The  young  men 
drank,  and  bathed  their  burning  faces  and  heads,  and 
then  hastened  back,  refreshed  and  vigorous,  bearing  full 
buckets  for  the  anxious  party  who  awaited  their  return, 
and  after  they  had  drunk,  and  were  able  to  converse, 
they  were  informed  of  the  appearance  of  the  footsteps. 

"  I  'd  like  to  see  'em  wi'  my  own  eyes,"  said  Wilkins. 


MAKING    OUT    THE    TIIACK.  325 

"If  it  be  ony  of  our  chaps  from  t'  colony,  run-a-way  fel- 
lows, I  ken  t'  make  of  their  boots  at  t'  first  sight.  But 
it 's  a  long  step  for  'em  to  have  marched,  poor  rogues. 
What  think  ye  if  we  stirred  from  here  ?  for  I  'd  like  to 
tell  ye  what  I  ken  about  them  tracks." 

The  whole  party  went  forward  more  briskly  than  be- 
fore, and  reached  the  bed  of  the  river,  where  Wilkins 
carefully  examined  the  marks,  and  then  said,  —  "Bush- 
rangers, as  sure  as  ye  stand  there,  Mr.  Arthur.  Here 's 
been  four  on  'em  ;  and  look  ye  here,  what  call  ye  them 
tracks  ?  I  say,  beasts  and  horses.  I  ken  their  game : 
they  '11  have  druv'  off  a  lot  of  stock,  and  they'll  reckon 
to  squat  here  somewhere  north.  But  they  '11  find  they  '11 
have  to  seek  out  a  cannier  bit  nor  this.  Like  enough, 
master,  it  '11  be  them  chaps  as  Black  Peter  was  lighting 
on  finding." 

By  this  time  the  two  younger  boys  had  ascended  con- 
siderably higher  up  the  bed  of  the  river,  and  reached  a 
large  pond  covered  with  water-fowl.  They  were  fortu- 
nate enough  to  shoot  four  ducks,  and  came  back  laden 
with  this  grateful  relief  to  their  utter  destitution.  They 
dined  as  soon  as  the  birds  could  be  cooked  ;  and  this 
rest,  and  abundant  food,  invigorated  and  cheered  them 
to  set  out  once  more. 

They  would  gladly  have  continued  to  travel  along 
the  bed  of  the  river,  where  they  might  certainly  have 
depended  on  a  constant  supply  of  water,  as  well  as  wild 
ducks  ;  but,  on  consideration,  it  was  decided  that  to  fol- 
low the  steps  of  lawless  robbers  was  a  dangerous  ex- 
periment, and  that  it  was  advisable  still  to  continue  the 
southern  course  over  the  dreary  desert.  Their  pro- 
gress was,  however,  rendered  more  tolerable,  by  the 
knowledge  that  they  carried  with  them  water  for  two 
28 


326  THE    WILD    TURKEY. 

days,  at  least ;  and  they  began  to  perceive  there  was 
beauty,  even  in  that  wide,  solitary  wilderness,  though  it 
appeared  unknown  to  all  the  living  world. 

Yet  it  was  not  altogether  without  living  inhabitants  ; 
for,  the  second  day,  Gerald  surprised  them  by  crying 
out,  "  A  turkey !  a  turkey ! "  and  spears,  arrows,  and 
boomerang,  were  speedily  sent  after  the  luckless  bird, 
though  the  sight  and  the  cries  of  the  strange  multitude 
had  caused  it  to  spring  from  the  bush  where  it  was  feed- 
ing, to  the  lowest  branches  of  a  tree  somewhat  taller 
than  the  unvaried  dwarf  bushes;  and  from  thence, 
rather  by  leaps  than  by  flight,  it  ascended  to  the  high 
branches,  where  it  only  exposed  itself  more  to  the 
\veapons  of  the  inveterate  sportsmen,  and  was  speedily 
brought  down. 

It  was  beyond  the  usual  size  of  the  English  turkey, 
to  which  it  bore  a  strong  resemblance,  and  delighted 
Ruth  with  the  idea  that  they  were  coming  among  poul- 
try again.  The  young  naturalists  had  more  opportu- 
nity of  observing  this  specimen  than  the  last  they  had 
killed,  and  they  agreed  that  this  curious  bird  belonged 
to  a  family  peculiar  to  this  strange  country,  the  Megap- 
odidce,  but  so  nearly  allied  to  the  family  of  Meleagrince, 
that  it  might  familiarly  be  called  the  Australian  turkey. 

"  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  it  is,  as  I  formerly  be- 
lieved," said  Mr.  Mayburn,  "the  Talegalla  of  the 
prince  of  ornithologists,  Gould.  The  massy  claw  is  a 
striking  characteristic,  so  conformable  to  the  habits  and 
haunts  of  the  bird,  enabling  it  to  run  amongst  the  bush, 
or  climb  trees  to  escape  its  enemies,  the  chief  of  which 
is  the  Dingo,  or  native  dog,  which  has  been  rather 
troublesome  to  us  from  its  nocturnal  yelping  than  from 
its  appearance.  Now,  concluding  this  to  be  the  Tale- 


A    CURIOUS    NEST.  327 

galla,  we  must  endeavor  to  discover  the  remarkable 
nest  of  this  bird,  which,  like  the  ostrich,  leaves  its  eggs 
to  be  hatched  by  the  sun.  These  eggs  we  are  told  are 
delicious  ;  but  above  all,  the  sight  of  the  peculiar  nest 
would  gratify  my  curiosity." 

They  had  not  proceeded  far,  when  they  saw,  a  little 
out  of  their  course,  a  curious  mound  or  pyramid,  which 
they  all  went  up  to  examine.  It  might  have  been  the 
work  of  man's  hand,  so  regularly  and  artfully  the 
ground,  for  a  considerable  space  round  it,  was  entirely 
cleared  of  vegetation,  and  the  decayed  grass  and  brush- 
wood thus  removed  formed  the  remarkable  mound. 
The  lower  part  seemed  to  have  been  erected  some 
years,  the  decay  being  complete  ;  the  upper  part  was 
fresher,  as  if  recently  renewed. 

"  It  is  apparent  that  this  pile  must  be  the  work  of 
years,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  "  and  is  probably  accom- 
plished by  numbers  laboring  in  common  to  raise  this  vast 
hatching  oven.  I  am  reluctant  to  disturb  a  work  which 
has  cost  so  much  labor  ;  but  I  think  we  might  partially 
uncover  it,  to  observe  the  internal  arrangement." 

The  boys  mounted  the  pile,  which  was  six  feet  in 
height,  and  carefully  unpacked  the  upper  layer  of  the 
hot-bed,  when  they  soon  discovered  a  vast  number  of 
large  white  oval  eggs,  nearly  four  inches  in  length, 
which  were  buried  standing  on  end,  with  the  broad  end 
uppermost,  about  ten  inches  apart  from  each  other. 
One  of  the  eggs  was  partially  hatched  ;  and  the  young 
bird  might  be  seen,  covered,  not  with  down,  but  with 
feathers. 

At  the  sight  of  the  feathered  bird  in  the  shell  Ruth 
turned  away  with  disgust  from  the  long-desired  poultry. 
"  Nay,  Master  Gerald,"  said  she,  as  the  boy  held  out* 


328  A    DELICIOUS    DINNER. 

the  egg  to  her  ;  "ye '11  not  catch  me  touching  an  egg 
like  that,  niver  sitten  on  as  it  ought  to  be,  and  i*  bird 
chipping  ready-feathered.  It 's  unnat'ral,  and  they  're 
uncanny  creaters,  they  are." 

"  Why,  one  of  these  unbroken  eggs  would  make  a 
custard,  Ruth,  as  good  as  that  of  an  English  Turkey," 
said  Gerald. 

"That's  what  I'se  niver  credit,  sir,"  answered  she. 
"  Not  a  custard  fit  for  Christians.  Them  black  folks 
'11  eat  aught  'at  falls  in  their  way.  Oh !  Miss  Marget, 
this  is  a  queer,  awsome  country  !  " 

They  did  not  take  any  of  the  egg?,  which  appeared 
to  be  in  an  advanced  state  for  hatching  ;  but  they 
roasted  the  talegalla,  and  found  it  delicious  meat,  though 
it  must  be  remembered  appetite  was  keen  and  turkey  a 
rarity. 

"  Now,  to-morrow  morning,"  said  Arthur,  "  we  must 
make  for  yon  distant  green  hills  ;  and  I  trust  we  shall 
find  a  pleasanter  region.  If  we  could  but  meet  with 
one  of  the  rivers  that  flow  towards  the  south,  we  might 
try  boating  again,  and  make  our  journey  on  an  easier 
plan.  Surely  we  ought  to  have  reached  the  division 
between  the  northern  and  southern  waters." 

"  It  would  be  a  rare  hit  to  light  on  a  good  river,"  said 
Wilkins,  "  for  we  're  gettin  fearfully  into  t'  midst  of  a 
nest  of  bush-rangers,  and  we  '11  ha'e  little  chance  of  slip- 
ping 'em,  trailing  on  in  this  way." 

The  morning  view  of  the  green  hills  was  BO  flattering 
that  they  indulged  in  the  luxury  of  tea  for  breakfast, 
though  the  water  was  nearly  expended,  and  then  pro- 
ceeded hopefully  over  the  scrub,  now  diversified  with 
various  species  of  acacia,  a  Stenochylus  bending  under 
its  large  scarlet  blossoms,  and  a  Boronia  laden  with  lilac 


THE    RICH    VALLEY.  329 

flowers.  Cheerfully  hailing  the  fertile  regions  once 
more,  they  soon  reached  the  steep  wooded  ascent  of  the 
hills,  where  the  lively  notes  of  the  birds  again  gave  life 
to  the  solitude  ;  while  their  brilliant  plumage  lighted  up 
the  gray  foliage  of  the  acacia  and  the  dark  gloom  of  the 
evergreens. 

After  an  hour's  laborious- ascent  they  reached  the  ta- 
ble-land, where  the  fresh  breeze  and  the  balmy  fra- 
grance announced  a  pleasanter  region.  They  rested, 
and  looked  round  with  admiration  and  delight  on  the 
glorious  prospect  below  them.  On  the  east  and  on  the 
west  distant  ranges  of  mountains  were  visible,  between 
which  lay  a  rich  valley  studded  with  lofty  forest  trees, 
while  here  and  there  arose  green  hills  crowned  with 
rocky  masses  resembling  towers  and  fortresses,  or  ru- 
ined castles,  in  picturesque  beauty. 

From  the  western  range  of  mountains  might  be  seen 
a  long,  dark-green  line,  stretching  to  the  south-east, 
which  they  decided  must  be  the  boundary  of  some  large 
river.  This  line  they  impatiently  desired  to  reach ; 
and,  after  a  short  rest,  they  continued  their  march  over 
a  plain  rich  with  rare  shrubs  and  many  new  and  curious 
grasses  now  in  seed,  amongst  which  they  hailed  with 
pleasure  their  old  friend  the  oat-grass,  with  which  they 
filled  the  emptied  bags  as  they  passed  through  it.  A 
dark  and  luxuriant  wood  formed  the  green  line  they  had 
seen  from  the  heights,  and  crossing  it,  they  stood  on  the 
rocky  banks  of  a  rapid  river  which  flowed  to  the  south- 
east. 

For  a  few  moments  they  stood  silently  contemplating 

this  pleasant  sight,  beneath  a  graceful  Acacia  Pendula. 

Then  Mr.  Mayburn  turned  to  his  family,  with  tears  in 

his  eyes,  and    said,  "  My  children,  let  us  give  thanks 

28* 


330  CANOE    BUILDING. 

where  thanks  are  due.  We  are  again  rescued  from 
famine,  captivity,  or  death.  Let  us  praise  His  name 
who  has  brought  us  from  the  dark  valley  of  the  shadow 
of  death,  to  life  and  hope." 

All  kneeled  down,  and  the  little  Nakinna  was  the  first 
to  raise  her  infantine  voice,  saying  "  Our  Father ; "  and 
to  that  simple  and  sublime  expression  of  heavenly  trust, 
Mr.  Mayburn  added  the  prayers  of  humility,  hope,  and 
gratitude. 

"To-night  we  must  rest,"  said  Arthur,  when  the 
prayers  were  concluded ;  "  but  to-morrow  we  must,  if 
possible,  make  two  canoes." 

"  We  will  bark  the  trees  to-night,  Mr.  Arthur,  if  you 
please,"  said  Jack.  "  The  bark  will  dry,  and  I  'd  like 
all  ready  to  start.  To-morro\v's  never  so  safe  as  to- 
day." 

"  Jack 's  right,"  said  Wilkins.  "  I  were  feeling  a  bit 
idle  rnyser,  but  there  's  no  sense  in 't ;  so  lend  us  haud 
on  an  axe,  and  I  'se  be  none  the  worse  for  a  stroke  of 
work." 

While  the  young  men  were  engaged  in  cutting  away 
the  bark  for  the  shells  of  the  canoes,  and  the  fibres  ot 
the  stringy  bark  for  tying  them,  and  collecting  the 
strong  gum  for  cement,  Baldabella  descended  to  the 
river,  and  soon  speared  two  immense  fish,  which  seemed 
to  be  a  species  of  mullet;  and  she  also  brought  in  a 
quantity  of  the  fresh-water  mussels,  the  shells  of  which 
were  so  useful  for  domestic  purposes. 

The  broiled  fish  and  hastily  prepared  oat-cake  —  or 
damper,  as  Wilkins  called  it  —  formed  an  excellent 
supper;  and  though  the  nights  had  now  become  cold, 
even  in  that  tropical  region,  they  slept  on  beds  of  heath, 
covered  with  oDOSSiim  cloaks,  without  injury  or  disturb- 
ance. 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

Boat-building  again.  —  Unlucky  Ruth.  —  The  Woods  on  Fire. — 
Dangers  on  Land  and  Water.  -*-  The  Wounded  Girl.  —  A  Home 
among  the  Mountains.  —  The  Bottle-tree.  —  The  Bee-hunt.  — 
Beau-coffee.  —  The  Lost  Hunters. 

AT  the  first  merry  cry  of  the  laughing  jackass,  which 
announced  the  dawn  as  regularly  as  the  English  cock- 
crow, the  workmen  rose  to  labor  at  their  hopeful  under- 
taking ;  and  before  many  hours  were  passed  the  canoes 
were  nearly  finished,  and  the  women  were  busy  cutting 
down  grass  for  seats ;  when  Ruth,  who  had  left  them, 
came  rushing  back  through  the  wood,  with  her  wildest 
look  of  distraction,  crying  out,  "  They  seed  me !  Miss 
Marget,  they  seed  me  !  " 

"  Thou  unlucky  lass  ! "  exclaimed  Jenny.  "  Where 
hast  thou  been  ?  and  who 's  seen  thee  ?  " 

"  Them  black  men,  they  seed  me ! "  answered  she.  "  I 
were  cutting  some  oats  for  my  hens ;  and  I  heared  'em 
shouting  out  their  coo-ee,  and  when  I  looked  round  I 
seed  a  lot  of  'em,  a  long  way  off,  and  I  skriked  out ;  I 
couldn't  help  it,  Miss  Marget,  and  then  they  coo-eed 
again,  and  off  I  ran.  But  I  'se  feared  they  heared  me 
skrike,  onyhow." 

Margaret,  in  deep  dismay,  communicated  this  unfor- 
tunate event  to  her  brothers,  and  Arthur  went  through 
the  wood  to  reconnoitre.  From  a  hidden  retreat  he 
observed  a  troop  of  men,  still  at  a  great  distance,  who 
appeared  to  be  stooping  down  to  mark  some  track  on 
the  ground,  from  which  he  judged  Ruth's  cries  had  been 

( 331  > 


332  A    FIRE    IN    THE    GRASS. 

unnoticed.  He  returned  in  haste  to  report  his  observa- 
tions. 

"  They  've  tracked  us,  sure  enough,"  said  Wilkins. 
"  Sharp 's  the  word,  lads,  we  may  distance  'em  yet,  if 
we  work  hard.  We  'se  run  down  t'  water  at  a  bonnie 
rate." 

"  I  will  watch  and  report  their  approach,  while  you 
all  work  at  the  boats,"  said  Margaret.  "  Where  shall  I 
stand,  Wilkins  ?  " 

"  Just  here,  Miss,"  answered  he,  "  aback  of  this  thick 
bush.  There 's  yer  peep-hole ;  and  shout  when  they 
get  close  up." 

Margaret's  first  shout  was  a  terrific  one.  "  Arthur ! 
Wilkins ! "  she  cried  in  a  frantic  voice.  "  Oh  !  God 
help  us  !  whither  shall  we  flee  ?  The  wretches  are  fir- 
ing the  wood." 

The  savages,  taking  advantage  of  a  north  wind,  had 
fired  the  long  dry  grass  —  a  common  practice  with  the 
natives.  It  was  already  fiercely  blazing,  and  rushing 
towards  the  wood  with  resistless  fury.  The  ground  on 
which  the  travellers  had  encamped,  and  the  spot  where 
the  young  men  were  working,  they  had  fortunately 
cleared  for  beds,  and  for  seats  in  the  boats ;  and  now, 
while  Jack  and  Arthur  finished  the  canoes,  the  rest  cut 
down  the  brushwood  round,  and  flung  it  into  the  river, 
leaving  a  space  of  twenty  or  thirty  yards  wide  quite 
cleared.  But  beyond  that  rose  the  lofty  trees,  that,  once 
blazing,  must  shower  down  destruction  on  them. 

Already  the  crackling  of  the  trees  announced  that  the 
conflagration  was  begun  in  the  woods,  and  that  no  time 
must  be  lost,  if  they  hoped  to  escape  from  it.  Flights 
of  white  cockatoos,  of  bright-colored  parrots,  and  glit- 
tering bronze  pigeons,  rose  screaming  from  their  deso- 


DRIVEN    TO    THE    WATER.  333 

lated  homes,  and  affrighted  opossums  sprang  from  their 
nests,  swung  on  the  trees,  or  fell  senseless  with  the 
smoke  on  the  ground.  But  in  this  time  one  canoe  was 
completed  and  launched,  with  the  women,  all  the  bag- 
gage, and  Mr.  May  burn  and  Hugh  to  direct  it.  They 
had  been  swept  down  the  river  to  a  considerable  dis- 
tance from  the  fire  before  the  second  canoe,  imperfectly 
completed,  whirled  off  with  the  rest  of  the  family,  who 
reached  their  friends  at  a  point  of  safety,  with  wild  looks 
and  scorched  hair. 

Then  they  all  rested  a  moment,  to  look  back  on  the 
terrific  and  still  spreading  conflagration,  by  the  red  light 
of  which  they  saw  the  frightful  outline  of  the  dark 
forms,  among  whom,  though  now  naked,  and  scarcely 
less  dark  than  the  rest,  they  distinguished  the  muscular 
and  ungraceful  form  of  Peter,  which  strangely  con- 
trasted with  the  stately,  slender,  and  agile  forms  of  the 
natives. 

"  He  's  not  lit  on  them  t'  other  rangers  yet,"  said  Wil- 
kins.  "  That 's  a  good  job,  onyhow  j  for,  ye  see,  they  'd 
horses,  and  we  'd  fairly  been  hunted  down  like  foxes." 

Augmented  by  the  recent  rains,  the  river  flowed  in 
an  uninterrupted  coarse,  and  before  the  evening  and  the 
calls  of  hunger  induced  them  to  arrest  their  flight,  the 
grateful  family  believed  they  must  have  progressed 
twenty-five  or  thirty  miles  to  the  south-east,  with  very 
slight  exertion,  through  new  and  lovely  scenes  of  hill, 
vale,  rocky  mountains,  and  rich  forests. 

Then,  on  the  margin  of  the  river,  beneath  the  shel- 
ter of  a  thick  wood,  they  landed,  to  thank  God  for  their 
escape,  and  to  take  rest.  Mussels,  a  sort  of  cray-fish, 
and  the  river-cod,  formed  their  supper,  which  was 
cooked  in  fear  and  trembling,  lest  the  smoke  of  their 


334  A    NATIVE    SETTLEMENT. 

fire  should  bring  on  them  the  savages,  or  the  flames 
should  spread  to  the  brushwood,  a  catastrophe  they  now 
regarded  with  horror. 

Before  they  set  out  the  following  morning,  the  canoes 
were  completely  finished,  and  oars  and  paddles  added  : 
thus  their  progress  was  safe  and  easy,  and  for  three 
days  no  accident  arrested  their  course  ;  but  on  the 
fourth  day  they  were  compelled  to  land,  to  repair  a  rent 
in  one  of  the  canoes,  and  were  startled  at  their  labor  by 
the  sound  of  the  "  coo-ee"  and  an  alarming  rustling 
among  the  trees.  Without  delay  the  canoes  were  car- 
ried to  the  water,  and  all  embarked ;  nor  had  they 
proceeded  twenty  yards  before  a  large  opening  ap- 
peared in  the  wooded  bank,  which  had  evidently  been 
cleared  by  fire.  Here  they  beheld  the  first  permanent 
settlement  of  the  natives  they  had  yet  met  with.  Many 
large  huts  stood  round,  formed  of  boughs,  and  thatched 
with  bark.  Several  fires  were  burning,  around  which 
the  women  and  children  were  gathered,  and  a  number 
of  men,  armed  with  spears  and  clubs,  advanced  to  the 
bank  with  threatening  aspect,  when  they  saw  the  ca- 
noes. 

Loud  and  angry  words  were  heard,  which  Baldabella 
interpreted  to  be,  —  "  What  for  white  men  come  here  ? 
Go  away  !  go  away ! "  And  the  way  in  which  they 
waved  their  clubs  and  stone  tomahawks  was  very  intim- 
idating. 

"  Best  take  no  notish  of  their  antics,  Mr.  Arthur," 
said  Wilkins  ;  and,  all  agreeing  in  the  wisdom  of  the 
counsel,  they  rowed  forward,  the  men  still  uttering  defi- 
ance against  the  strange  invaders,  and  apparently 
amazed  that  their  threats  were  received  with  indiffer- 
ence. But  Ruth,  whom  Jenny  had  been  ineffectually 


RUTH    WOUNDED.  335 

endeavoring  to  calm,  at  last  could  no  longer  control  her 
terror,  arid  poured  forth  such  a  succession  of  shrieks, 
that  the  savages  seemed  encouraged,  and  immediately 
directed  a  volley  of  spears  against  the  canoes. 

The  swift  motion  happily  discomfited  their  attempt, 
and  but  one  spear  took  effect,  seriously  wounding  the 
right  arm  of  Ruth,  which  she  had  held  up  to  shield  her 
face. 

A  few  moments  carried  the  boats  beyond  the  reach 
of  the  weapons,  and  they  continued  their  voyage,  till 
they  believed  themselves  safe  from  the  pursuit  of  the  as- 
sailants. Mr.  Mayburn  and  Margaret  bound  up  the 
wound  of  Ruth,  which  bled  profusely,  and  was  very 
painful,  and  she  could  not  be  persuaded  that  she  should 
ever  recover.  She  declared  that  she  was  killed,  and 
she  earnestly  begged  that  she  might  be  buried  in  a 
church-yard,  till  Jenny,  out  of  patience  with  her  cow- 
ardice, said, — 

"  Be  quiet,  ye  silly  wench  ;  where  think  ye  we  're  to 
find  a  church-yard  among  these  heathens  ?  " 

"  Then  they  '11  eat  me,  Jenny ! "  she  cried,  in  great 
horror. 

"  Be  comforted,  Ruth,"  said  Margaret ;  "  you  are  un- 
der the  protection  of  a  merciful  God  ;  and  as  long  as 
we  are  spared,  we  will  take  care  of  you,  and  even  bury 
you  if  it  be  His  will  that  you  die  before  us.  But,  be- 
lieve me,  Ruth,  though  your  wound  must  be  painful, 
there  is  no  danger  for  your  life,  unless  you  cry  and  fret 
yourself  into  a  fever ;  so  pray  be  patient." 

"  I  will,  Miss  Marget,"  sobbed  she.  "  Indeed  I  will, 
if  you  will  feed  my  hens,  and  gather  corn,  whiles,  for 
'em.  Shame  on  them  black  savages  as  burned  down  all 
that  good  corn." 


336  COMPELLED    TO    LAND. 

The  fretfulness  and  timidity  of  Ruth,  however,  in- 
flamed the  wound  greatly  ;  and  before  the  next  day 
ended,  they  thought  it  prudent  to  disembark  at  some 
quiet  spot,  where  she  could  have  shelter  and  rest.  The 
banks  of  the  river  had  now  become  rocky,  gradually 
sloping  upwards  to  rugged  and  irregular  mountains, 
amongst  which  they  trusted  to  find  the  shelter  they  de- 
sired. A  sloping  bank  offered  them  a  landing-place, 
and  they  disembarked,  and  the  men  bearing  the  light 
canoes  on  their  shoulders,  they  left  the  river.  Jack 
carried  Ruth,  now  quite  unfit  for  exertion,  in  his  arms, 
and  they  were  soon  plunged  into  a  maze  of  mountains, 
cut  apart  by  narrow  ravines,  some  of  which  were 
choked  with  fallen  stones,  and  through  others  clear 
streams  of  water  poured  between  rocks  covered  with 
new  and  graceful  ferns,  some  of  which  were  of  gigantic 
size. 

The  further  they  penetrated  into  this  maze,  the  more 
they  became  perplexed  and  embarrassed.  At  length, 
O'Brien,  who  had  forced  his  way  through  a  narrow, 
stone-encumbered  crevice,  called  on  them  to  join  him 
in  a  lovely  little  valley,  of  three  or  four  hundred  yards 
across,  encompassed  with  precipitous,  overhanging 
rocks,  and  inaccessible,  except  by  the  narrow  opening 
through  which  they  had  entered.  It  was  overgrown 
with  tall  grass,  amongst  which  they  saw  the  useful  wild 
oats  ;  in  one  corner  was  a  deep  clear  pool  of  water, 
while  the  surrounding  rocks  were  covered  with  brush- 
wood, from  which  were  heard  the  pleasing  notes  of  the 
beautiful  pigeon,  which  the  naturalists  judged  to  be 
Geophaps  Scripta,  and  which  all  agreed  was  the  most 
delicious  bird  ever  placed  before  gormandizing  man. 

There  were  numerous  caves  in  these  rocks,  and  they 


A    COMMODIOUS    ABODE.  337 

had  only  to  choose  one  dry  and  light  for  the  sick 
woman,  and  then,  enjoying  the  luxury  of  many  apart- 
ments, the  young  men  selected  their  own  bed-cham- 
bers, the  boats  were  safely  stowed  into  one  hollow,  and 
the  ammunition  placed  carefully  in  another  rocky  cave  ; 
and  once  more  the  family  rejoiced  in  a  temporary  rest- 
ing-place. 

One  of  the  caves  was  chosen  for  a  kitchen,  and  again 
the  active  young  men  dug,  and  lined  with  stones,  an 
oven,  in  which  Jenny  baked  cakes  of  the  fresh-gathered 
oats,  a  dozen  pigeons  were  despatched,  tea  was  made 
for  the  invalid,  and  all  was  festivity  and  peace.  Still, 
Ruth's  wound,  which  was  torn  by  a  jagged  spear, 
showed  no  appearance  of  healing,  arid  it  was  resolved 
to  spend  some  days  in  this  beautiful  and  untrodden  soli- 
tude, to  allow  the  poor  girl  to  recover,  and  to  recruit 
the  strength  of  all.  But  it  was  not  possible  to  confine 
the  active  boys  to  the  narrow  valley,  and  they  daily 
found  a  pretext  for  some  expedition.  One  day  they  set 
out  to  search  for  the  Tea  shrub,  and  brought  home  a 
large  quantity  of  leaves.  Another  day  they  scaled 
some  of  the  lower  rocks,  to  obtain  gum  from  the  numer- 
ous trees  from  which  it  exuded,  and  brought  out  all  the 
family  to  see  a  curious  tree,  the  trunk  of  which,  formed 
like  a  barrel,  was  in  the  thickest  part  not  less  than 
thirty  feet  in  circumference. 

"It  is  one  of  the  Sterculiads"  said  Mr.  Mayburn, 
"  and  is,  I  conclude,  that  wonder  of  Australia  popularly 
known  as  the  Bottle  Tree,  or,  more  scientifically,  this 
peculiar  species  is  named  Delabechea  Rupestris.  It  ap- 
pears to  be  full  of  gum,  and  is,  doubtless,  a  great  bless- 
ing to  the  natives." 

Baldabella  seemed  rejoiced  to  see  the  tree,  which  she 
29 


338  BEE-HUNTING. 

declared  was  "  good,  very  good,"  chewing  the  branches 
with  great  enjoyment  ;  and  they  found  there  was  so 
much  mucilage  in  the  wood,  that  they  cut  some  shav- 
ings, and  poured  boiling  water  over  them,  when  a  clear, 
sweet  jelly  was  formed,  most  agreeable  to  the  palate, 
and  highly  relished  by  the  whole  party. 

The  next  expedition  was  suggested  by  Baldabella, 
who  pointed  to  some  bees  humming  among  the  tvces, 
and  said,  "Make  very  good  dinner — very  good  sup- 
per; Baldabella  find  his  nest."  Margaret  taught  the 
woman  the  name,  honey,  which  she  concluded  was  the 
good  dinner  she  alluded  to.  Then  the  woman  caught  a 
bee,  appearing  to  have  no  fear  in  handling  it,  and  catch- 
ing a  piece  of  white  down  which  had  fallen  from  the 
breast  of  some  bird,  and  was  floating  on  the  air,  she 
touched  it  with  gum,  and  stuck  it  upon  the  captive 
bee  ;  she  now  called  on  the  rest  to  follow  her,  and  leav- 
ing the  valley,  she  stood  on  an  elevated  rock,  released 
the  bee,  and  kept  her  keen  eye  fixed  on  the  white  down 
as  it  sailed  away,  following  the  flight  of  the  insect,  till 
she  saw  it  settle  in  a  tree.  Then  she  stopped,  and 
pointing  to  the  trunk,  ordered  Jack  to  cut  it.  His  axe 
was  soon  at  work  ;  the  bark  was  stripped,  and  the  hol- 
low laid  open  :  they  found  the  tree  quite  filled  with 
honey,  and  cutting  away  a  considerable  quantity,  they 
carried  it  off  on  pieces  of  bark.  The  bees,  which  were 
yery  small,  either  careless  in  the  midst  of  plenty,  or 
powerless  to  injure,  did  not  molest  the  robbers.  The 
honey  was  much  mingled  with  wax,  and  looked  and 
tasted  like  gingerbread  ;  but,  kneaded  with  the  bitter 
oat-paste,  it  rendered  the  biscuits  pleasanter  and  more 
palatable. 

"  We  really  seem  to  have  all  we   want   here,  Miss 


STALKING    A    KANGA11OO.  339 

Marget,"  said  Jenny  one  day.  "  Is  n't  it  a  pity  to 
hurry  t'  poor  master  over  these  weary  commons  and 
fells  ?  We  'se  be  sure  to  have  winter  at  some  end ;  and 
had  n't  we  better  bide  here  a  bit  till  it 's  past  ?  " 

"It  is  really  near  the  beginning  of  winter  now, 
nurse,"  said  Margaret  ;  "  it  is  more  than  a  year  since 
we  left  England  ;  for  it  is  HOW  the  end  of  April.  I  felt 
the  air  a  little  cold  during  last  night,  though  now  it  is 
mild  and  balmy  ;  and  the  evergreen  shrubs,  continual 
successions  of  flowers,  noisy  birds,  and  humming  insects, 
make  it  more  like  an  English  summer  than  the  end  of 
autumn.  This  is  truly  a  charming  climate." 

"  It 's  very  nice,  Miss  Marget,"  answered  Jenny  ; 
"  but  don't  you  think  we  should  be  better  of  a  change  of 
meat  ?  One  tires  of  pigeons  always." 

"  Very  right,  Jenny,"  said  O'Brien  ;  "  though  the  ob- 
servation is  not  new.  I  '11  tell  you  what  we  will  do : 
we  will  stalk  a  kangaroo  for  you." 

"  No  easy  task,  I  should  think,  Gerald,"  said  Arthur, 
"  if  the  kangaroo  be  as  difficult  to  tire  out  as  Wilkins 
tells  us." 

"  He  '11  lead  ye  a  bonnie  chase,"  said  Wilkins,  "  that 
will  he.  Ye '11  tire  afore  him.  Ye'd  better  wait  till 
Baldabella  makes  an  end  of  that  net  she  's  shaping  to 
catch  'em.  She  's  a  long  time  about  it." 

"  And  we  may  wait  another  week,"  said  Gerald,  "  to 
obtain  the  ignoble  means  of  snaring  the  poor  fellow. 
No  ;  I  say,  let  us  have  a  regular  stalking-day.  Arthur, 
what  do  you  say  ?  " 

"  I  cannot  have  Arthur  leave  us  for  a  day,"  said  Mr. 
Mayburn.  "  I  should  not  feel  it  safe  for  Margaret.  I 
can  rely  on  his  judgment  and  discretion." 

A  few  days  after  this  Jack  was  engaged  in  putting 


340  NATIVE    COFFEE. 

the  canoes  in  repair,  and  Wilkins  had  gone  off  to  the 
river  with  Baldabella,  to  spear  fish,  when  the  two  boys 
entreated  that  they  might  be  allowed  to  take  spears  and 
bows  —  guns  being  prohibited,  unless  Arthur  was  of  the 
party,  —  and  set  out  after  a  kangaroo  ;  for  the  woods 
and  grassy  hollows  among  the  mountains  abounded  in 
game. 

On  the  promise  to  Mr.  Mayburn  that  they  would  not 
ramble  far  from  home,  they  were  allowed  to  go ;  while 
Margaret  was  employed  in  teaching  little  Nakinna  to 
read,  by  tracing  letters  and  words  on  the  sand,  and  Mr. 
Mayburn  and  Arthur  were  searching  the  crevices  of 
the  rocks  for  the  rare  birds  and  the  brilliant  plants 
which,  even  at  that  late  season,  were  to  be  found  in  pro- 
fusion. 

In  the  middle  of  the  day  Baldabella  and  Wilkins  re- 
turned with  baskets  filled  with  large  fish,  and  a  bag  of 
pods  filled  with  small  beans,  which  they  had  plucked  in 
a  sandy  nook  near  the  river.  Each  pod  contained  ten 
or  twelve  beans ;  and  Baldabella's  exclamations  of  de- 
light showed  they  were  considered  a  prize. 

"  I  fear,"  said  Arthur,  "  that  these  beans  are  too  dry 
at  this  season  to  be  useful  as  good  vegetables,  but  I 
fancy  we  might  roast  them,  and  use  them  as  a  substitute 
for  coffee,  to  surprise  our  sportsmen  when  they  return 
from  their  expedition." 

With  great  satisfaction,  Jenny  heated  the  oven  and 
roasted  the  beans,  which  were  not  larger  than  those  of 
coffee,  till  they  became  the  proper  deep-brown  color. 
They  were  then  bruised  between  two  stones,  and  boiled 
with  a  little  honey,  and  the  brown  liquid  wanted  but 
milk  to  represent  indifferent  coffee.  The  partakers  of 
the  beverage  declared  it  to  be  perfect ;  and  Wilkins  was 


THE    MISSING    HUNTERS.  341 

sent  back  to  the  river  to  procure  an  abundant  supply, 
to  be  roasted  for  future  occasions. 

When  the  evening  drew  near,  and  the  family,  leaving 
their  several  occupations,  assembled  together  as  usual, 
great  anxiety  filled  every  breast,  for  the  two  hunters 
had  not  returned.  They  had  taken  no  provision  with 
them ;  but  this  was  a  minor  consideration,  for  no  one 
could  starve  in  this  region  of  plenty.  Nor  could  the 
chase  itself  lead  them  into  danger ;  but  there  remained 
the  ever-existing  terror  of  the  treacherous  and  cunning 
natives,  or  still  worse,  of  an  encounter  with  the  lawless 
bush-rangers.  The  fears  of  Mr.  Mayburn  soon  amounted 
to  deep  distress,  and  at  length  Arthur  and  Wilkins  set 
out  to  a  high  point  of  the  mountains,  where  they  could 
command  an  extensive  view,  hoping  to  see  the  wander- 
ers. But  before  they  reached  the  pinnacle,  sudden  dark- 
ness veiled  the  prospect,  and  Arthur  reluctantly  adopted 
the  only  means  he  could  then  use  to  recall  the  boys. 
He  fired  his  rifle,  and  the  echoes,  flung  from  mountain 
to  mountain,  thundered  like  a  charge  of  artillery ;  and 
it  seemed  impossible  that  this  report  should  not  reach 
the  ears  of  the  thoughtless  ramblers. 

After  waiting  a  few  minutes,  in  the  vain  hope  of 
hearing  some  answering  shout,  Arthur  and  Wilkins  re- 
traced their  steps  to  the  caves,  depressed  with  the  ill- 
success  of  their  mission.  Yet  such  was  the  deep  distress 
of  the  father,  that  his  children  endeavored  to  conceal 
their  own  sorrow,  that  they  might  console  him.  He 
mourned  as  lost,  not  only  his  own  brave  boy,  but  the 
not  less  dear  son  of  his  lamented  friend ;  and  long  re- 
fused to  be  comforted.  Arthur  represented  to  him  that 
no  more  could  be  effected  till  morning  ;  but  that  the 
youths,  when  they  had  gone  astray  would  have  proba- 
29  * 


342  TRUST    IN    GOO, 

bly  taken  refuge  in  one  of  the  numerous  caves  in  the 
mountains,  where  they  would  be  safe  during  the  night ; 
and  he  promised  that  at  the  first  gleam  of  light,  he, 
Wilkins,  and  Jack,  would  set  out  in  different  directions 
to  search  for  them. 

"  And  remember,  dear  papa,"  said  Margaret,  "  this  is, 
happily,  not  a  country  of  fierce  beasts ;  they  may  enter 
a  cave  boldly,  secure  that  they  shall  not  disturb  a  lion 
or  a  bear  in  his  den.  Nor  need  they  fear  the  snow- 
storm or  the  hurricane.  This  is  a  pleasant  land  !  God 
seems  to  have  created  it  for  the  abode  of  peace.  Is  it 
not,  then,  fearful  wickedness  that  civilized  man,  the 
professed  Christian  should  scatter  the  seeds  of  evil 
rather  than  the  seeds  of  truth  among  the  simple  inhabi- 
tants?" 

"  This  is,  truly,  a  calm  and  blessed  region,"  answered 
Mr.  Mayburn.  "  We  seem  to  have  been  Heaven-di- 
rected towards  it ;  and  if  my  two  dear  boys  were  again 
safely  at  my  side,  I  confess  that  I  should  feel  reluctant 
to  leave  it.  In  this  vast  and  lovely  solitude,  where 
man  has  never  before  planted  his  destroying  foot,  where 
neither  storms  nor  wild  beasts  appall,  and  where  God 
himself  provides  our  food,  even  as  He  fed  the  Prophet 
in  the  wilderness,  we  seem  to  be  brought  face  to  face 
with  Him.  Here  we  see  and  hear  Him  alone  in  His 
glorious  works  so  richly  scattered  around  us.  Such 
may  have  been  Eden,  before  the  sin  of  man  polluted  it. 
In  this  sublime  solitude,  consecrated  to  devotion  and 
peace,  would  I  willingly  remain  conversing  with  my 
God.  Here  would  I, — 

'  Sustain'd  and  soothed 
By  an  unfaltering  trust,  approach  my  grave, 
Like  one  who  wraps  the  drapery  of  his  couch 
About  him,  and  lies  down  to  pleasant  dreams.'  " 


THE    SEARCH,  343 

<(  It  is  a  charming  vision,"  said  Margaret.  **  But 
look  round  you,  papa  ;  the  fresh,  the  restless,  the  aspir- 
ing spirit  of  youth  must  be  exercised  and  disciplined  by 
the  duties  and  trials  of  life.  We  may  not  dare  to  rest, 
dear  father,  till  we  have  done  our  work." 

"  You  are  always  rational,  Margaret,  and  I  am  but 
a  selfish  visionary,"  answered  Mr.  Mayburn.  "  Even 
now  my  idle  dreams  have  turned  away  my  thoughts 
from  my  heavy  and  real  calamity  —  the  loss  of  my  chil- 
dren." 

"  Depend  on 't  we  'se  find  t'  lads  all  right,  master," 
said  Wilkins ;  "  and  they  '11  tell  us  what  a  good  laugh 
they  had  when  they  beared  that  grand  salute  we  gave 
'em  amang  these  rattling  hills." 


C  II  APT  Eli     XXVI. 

The  Search  for  the  Lost.  —  The  Fig-tree.  —  Signals.  —  The  Wander- 
ers found.  —  The  Wounded  Boy.  —  The  Sufferings  of  the  Thirsty.  — 
The  Rescue  and  Return.  —  The  Kangaroo  Conflict.  —  A  strange 
Meeting.  —  The  Bush-rangers.  —  The  miraculous  Escape. 

SLEEP  fled  from  all  the  sorrowful  family,  and  they 
gladly  saw  the  morning  light  which  would  enable  them 
to  set  out  to  track  the  unlucky  boys.  The  three  men 
chose  the  high  pinnacle  from  whence  Arthur  had  fired 
the  preceding  evening  for  a  rendezvous,  and  fixed  a 
white  cross  of  peeled  rods  against  the  dark  foliage  of  a 
gum-tree,  that  stood  tall  and  conspicuous  on  the  summit, 
as  a  land-mark.  From  thence  Arthur  proceeded  di- 
rectly north  amidst  the  intricacies  of  the  mountains, 
while  Jack  went  off  at  the  right-hand,  and  Wilkins  at 
the  left.  It  was  agreed  that  they  should  meet  at  the 
same  spot  in  the  evening,  if  the  search  was  not  success- 
ful before  then.  Arthur  carried  one  of  the  guns ;  the 
other  being  left  with  Mr.  Mayburn,  that  he  might  fire 
it  as  a  signal,  in  case  of  alarm ;  while  Arthur  proposed, 
if  he  succeeded  in  discovering  the  fugitives,  to  recall  the 
other  two  men  by  firing  his  gun. 

Arthur's  share  of  the  work  was  certainly  the  most  toil- 
some. At  one  moment  he  was  climbing  over  some  lofty 
rock ;  the  next,  he  was  searching  for  a  pass  amidst  inac- 
cessible heights  ;  then  winding  through  tortuous  gorges, 
till  his  head  became  so  bewildered  that  it  was  only 
when  he  observed  the  course  of  the  sun,  or  caught  sight 
of  the  happy  signal  of  the  white  cross,  that  he  was  able 

(344) 


1HE    FIG-TREE.  315 

to  determine  his  position.  Several  times,  from  some 
elevation,  he  shouted  loudly  the  names  of  the  absent 
boys,  but  none  answered.  The  day  wore  away,  and  he 
gladly  rested  for  a  short  time  beneath  a  fig-tree,  still 
bearing  a  quantity  of  ripe  fruit,  while  the  ground  was 
strewn  with  the  decayed  figs,  on  which  flocks  of  bronze 
pigeons,  yellow  cockatoos, ,.  and  rose-colored  parrots, 
were  busily  feeding.  These  birds  seemed  to  confide  in 
Arthur's  forbearance,  for  they  continued  to  enjoy  their 
feast  without  evincing  any  alarm,  except  by  a  vehement 
greeting,  in  their  several  notes,  as  if  they  inquired  his 
business  at  their  board. 

The  arched  roots  of  the  fig-tree  afforded  him  an  easy 
mode  of  access  to  the  upper  branches,  where  he  filled 
his  straw  hat  with  the  fruit,  and  then  continued  his 
walk,  enjoying  the  refreshment  ;  for  the  figs,  though 
not  luscious,  were  ripe  and  juicy. 

"  I  will  give  one  more  shout,"  thought  he  ;  and  his 
voice,  cleared  and  strengthened  by  his  refreshment, 
rang  through  the  echoing  mountains.  He  waited  for 
five  minutes  ;  still  there  was  no  reply  ;  but  his  eye 
caught  a  light  smoke  among  the  mountains.  It  might 
be  the  fires  of  the  natives  he  thought  ;  but  even  were  it 
so,  the  boys  might  have  fallen  into  their  hands,  and  no 
time  must  be  lost  in  rescuing  them.  He  made  ready 
his  gun,  and,  still  bearing  his  load  of  fig?,  he  directed 
his  course  briskly  towards  the  suspected  spot.  But  it 
was  most  difficult  to  attain  the  place  from  whence  the 
smoke  seemed  to  proceed,  and  he  wandered  for  an  hour 
amidst  intricate  windings,  making  many  unsuccessful 
attempts  to  penetrate  to  the  spot,  till  at  length  he  came 
to  a  small  hollow,  surrounded  by  dungeon-like  walls, 


346  THE    LOST    FOUND. 

where  a  fire  of  dry  wood  was  smouldering,  but  no  one 
was  near  it. 

"  Hugh  !  Gerald  ! "  he  shouted  ;  and  at  the  sound  of 
his  voice  his  brother  appeared,  crawling  feebly  from  a 
hole  in  the  rocks. 

"  Hugh,  my  boy,  are  you  hurt  ?  "  asked  Arthur,  in  a 
hurried  tone  :  "  and  where  is  Gerald  ?  " 

Hugh  pointed  to  the  hole  from  whence  he  had  issued, 
and  in  a  hoarse,  weak  voice,  said,  "  Water !  water ! " 
Scarcely  conscious  what  he  did,  Arthur  pressed  the 
juice  of  a  fig  into  the  parched  mouth  of  the  boy,  who 
murmured,  "  Thank  God  !  But,  oh,  Arty  !  can  you 
get  any  water  for  poor  Gerald  ?  " 

Putting  more  figs  into  his  hand,  Arthur  stooped 
down  to  the  low  entrance,  and  passed  into  a  small  dark 
hollow,  where  Gerald  was  stretched  out,  almost  insensi- 
ble, and  near  him  lay  dead  a  huge  kangaroo.  Arthur 
gave  the  poor  boy  the  only  refreshment  he  had  to  offer, 
the  juice  of  the  figs  ;  but  he  seemed  in  a  much  more 
feeble  state  than  Hugh,  and  when  his  kind  friend  with 
difficulty  got  him  out  into  the  open  air,  he  saw  with  con- 
sternation that  his  leg  was  bound  up  with  a  handker- 
chief, through  which  the  blood  was  oozing. 

"  How  did  this  happen,  Hugh  ?  "  asked  Arthur,  be- 
fore he  ventured  to  examine  the  wound. 

"  It  was  the  kangaroo,"  answered  he  ;  "  and  then, 
when  we  had  killed  it,  we  were  far  too  ill  to  eat  it, 
though  we  have  had  no  food  since  we  left  home." 

"  I  cannot  tell  what  I  must  do,"  said  Arthur.  "  It 
will  be  impossible  to  get  you  home  to-night,  feeble  as 
you  are  ;  and  papa  will  now  be  in  alarm  at  my  ab- 
sence." 


THE    WOUNDED    BOY.  347 

"  But  you  will  not  leave  us  again,  Arty,"  said  Hugh, 
sobbing.  "  I  fear  dear  Gerald  will  die.  I  dare  not  re- 
main alone  any  longer." 

"  I  must  leave  you  for  a  short  time,"  answered  Ar- 
thur. "  I  think  I  shall  be  able  to  summon  Wilkins  and 
Jack  to  us  ;  then  they  can  search  for  water,  and  carry 
Gerald  home." 

Hugh  burst  into  tears,  and  said,  "  But  the  bush-ran- 
gers —  I  cannot  tell  you  all,  Arthur,  my  head  is  so  bad. 
There  are  bush-rangers  ;  we  have  seen  them  ;  they 
will  meet  you,  and  they  will  come  and  kill  us.  At 
least,  carry  Gerald  back  to  the  cave." 

In  increased  alarm,  Arthur  conveyed  Gerald  into  the 
dismal  cave,  and  leaving  them  all  the  remainder  of  the 
figs,  he  waited  to  hear  no  more,  but  hurried  off  with  all 
speed  towards  the  rendezvous,  looking  round  as  he  went 
on,  for  some  spring  or  pool  from  which  he  could  procure 
water  for  the  suffering  boys.  When  he  reached  a  high 
rock,  not  far  from  the  rendezvous,  he  ventured  to  fire 
his  gun,  and  was  immediately  answered  by  the  shouts 
of  the  men,  who,  following  the  sound  and  flash  of  the 
gun,  soon  came  up  to  him. 

"  Where  are  they  ?  Oh,  Mr.  Arthur,  have  you  not 
found  them  ?  "  said  Jack. 

Arthur,  in  a  few  words,  told  the  distressing  story  ; 
and  night  being  now  at  hand,  it  was  agreed  that  Jack 
should  return  to  appease  the  uneasiness  of  the  fam- 
ily, while  Wilkins  should  accompany  Arthur  back  to 
the  two  anxious  boys,  with  whom  they  would  remain 
till  daylight,  and  then  bring  them  home.  Wilkins  un- 
dertook to  procure  water  for  them  from  a  pool  at  a  little 
distance,  where  Jack  and  he  rested,  and  where  they  had 


348  FRESH-WATER. 

cleaned  out  two  large  gourds  they  had  found,  and  con< 
verted  them  into  water-bottles. 

These  gourds  were  a  great  treasure ;  they  carried 
them  to  the  pool,  filled  them  with  fresh-water,  and,  af- 
ter drinking  themselves,  hastened  forward  with  all  the 
vigor  that  remained  to  them  after  the  day's  fatigue,  to- 
wards the  spot  where  the  boys  were  lying,  but  did  not 
reach  it  till  night  had  made  it  most  difficult  to  discover 
it.  The  joy  of  the  poor  wanderers  was  excessive  when 
they  saw  their  friends  arrive,  bringing  the  refreshment 
they  so  much  desired.  Gerald  was  already  somewhat 
revived  by  the  figs  ;  and  after  he  and  Hugh  had  drunk 
some  water,  they  began  to  desire  more  substantial  food ; 
and  it  was  not  long  before  Wilkins  had  cut  off",  and 
broiled,  some  steaks  of  kangaroo  venison,  of  which  all 
the  hungry  party  partook  with  great  enjoyment.  Still 
the  boys  were  too  much  weakened  and  exhausted  to  en- 
ter into  any  details  of  their  adventure  that  night  ;  and 
when  Arthur  and  Wilkins  had  collected  heath  for  beds 
and  covering  —  for  the  nights  were  now  chill,  —  they 
all  crept  into  the  cave,  and  slept  soundly  till  awakened 
by  the  rude,  early  greeting  of  the  laughing  jackass. 

Then,  after  more  kangaroo  steaks,  Arthur  made  an 
examination  of  Gerald's  lacerated  and  bruised  leg, 
which  Hugh  had  previously  bandaged  to  the  best  of  hi.* 
skill.  They  could  now  spare  water  to  wash  the  wound, 
and  the  bandages  were  replaced  by  some  made  from 
Arthur's  handkerchief;  and  Wilkins  having  cut  down 
the  spreading  bough  of  a  fig-tree,  Gerald  and  the  kan- 
garoo were  placed  side  by  side  upon  it,  and  borne  by 
Arthur  and  Wilkins.  The  procession  moved  slowly 
and  silently,  Hugh  looking  round  anxiously  as  he  pre- 
ceded the  litter,  in  dread  of  the  terrible  bush-rangers. 


THE    WELCOME    HOME.  349 

The  rugged  mountain-road  tired  the  bearers  greatly, 
but  long  before  they  reached  the  rendesvouz,  they  saw 
a  figure  standing  before  the  dark  gum-tree,  and  a  loud 
"  Halloo  !  "  brought  Jack  to  meet  and  assist  them.  He 
had  considerately  brought  with  him  a  bucket  of  water ; 
and  they  rested  and  refreshed  themselves,  before  they 
completed  their  toilsome  journey.  But  fatigue  was  for- 
gotten when  they  all  met  again  in  the  quiet  valley ;  Mr. 
Mayburn  and  Margaret  wept  for  joy,  and  though  nurse 
did  not  fail  to  chide  them  as  "  bad  boys,"  she  fondled 
and  nursed  the  wanderers,  and  produced  for  their  com- 
fort cockatoo-stew,  flavored  with  wild  herbs  that  resem- 
bled parsley  and  majoram,  and  mixed  with  the  beans 
they  had  got  on  the  banks  of  the  river. 

"  Keep  a  sentinel  at  the  pass,  Arthur,"  said  Hugh. 
"  We  shall  be  watched  and  tracked  ;  there  will  be  scouts 
all  around  us.  It  is  a  miracle  that  we  have  arrived 
here  safely." 

"Oh!  Master  Hugh,  honey,  is  it  that  .good-to-nought 
Black  Peter  ?  "  asked  Jenny. 

"Worse  than  that,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  nurse,"  an- 
swered he ;  "  for  there  are  dozens  of  Black  Peters  ready 
to  snap  us  up.  But  don't  look  so  sorrowful,  Meggie, 
and  I  '11  just  tell  you  how  it  all  happened.  That  big  old 
fellow,"  pointing  to  the  kangaroo,  "  kept  us  trotting  after 
him  for  hours  and  hours,  and  always  when  we  got  him 
within  reach  of  a  spear  or  an  arrow,  he  bounded  off 
like  a  race-horse,  and  you  could  not  say  whether  he 
hopped,  or  galloped,  or  flew.  It  was  a  beautiful  sight, 
but  very  vexatious.  At  last  we  got  desperate  ;  we  were 
tired  and  hungry,  and  we  determined  to  have  him ;  so 
we  parted,  that  we  might  attack  him  on  both  sides,  and 
force  him  to  stand  at  bay.  It  was  a  capital  plan,  and 
30 


350  THE    KANGAROO    CONFLICT. 

turned  out  very  well.  We  chased  him  into  that  queer 
little  dungeon-like  hollow  where  you  found  us.  He  flew 
round  and  round,  but  we  guarded  the  entrance,  and  he 
could  not  escape,  arid  at  last  we  drove  him  into  a  corner, 
pierced  mortally  with  our  spears.  I  wanted  Gerald  to 
wait  till  the  beast  was  weakened  with  loss  of  blood ;  but 
he  was  in  a  hurry  to  finish,  so  he  rushed  on  with  his 
drawn  knife,  and  I  followed  to  help  him.  But  when  the 
brave  old  fellow  found  he  had  not  a  chance,  he  faced 
round,  and  with  his  forefeet  —  his  arms,  I  should  say  — 
he  seized  me,  and  gave  me  a  heavy  fall.  Gerald  was 
then  behind,  and  plunged  his  knife  into  him,  on  which 
the  desperate  creature  struck  out  with  his  powerful  hind 
claw,  and  tore  and  bruised  poor  Gerald,  as  you  see. 

"  I  was  soon  on  my  feet  again,  and  then  I  speedily 
despatched  the  beast ;  but  I  should  never  like  to  kill 
another  in  that  M'ay ;  it  was  just  like  murdering  one's 
grandfather.  Then  I  turned  to  poor  Gerald.  Oh, 
Margaret!  if  you  had  seen  how  he  'bled!  and  how 
frightened  I  was  till  I  got  his  wounds  tied  up  !  He  was 
very  thirsty,  and  begged  me  to  get  him  some  water,  or 
he  thought  he  must  die.  So  off  I  set,  keeping  a  sharp 
eye  on  our  den,  that  I  might  find  it  again.  I  mounted 
a  crag,  and  looked  about  me  till  I  saw  flocks  of  bird?, 
all  hovering  over  one  place,  a  good  stretch  from  me. 
'  That 's  my  aim,'  thought  I,  and  on  I  dashed,  over  rocks 
and  valleys,  straight  forward,  till  I  saw  before  me  a 
grand  silver-looking  lake,  covered  with  ducks  and 
swans ;  while  regiments  of  birds,  like  cranes  and  peli- 
cans, with  other  unknown  species,  were  drawn  up  round 
it. 

"  I  could  look  at  nothing  else  but  the  birds  for  some 
time,  I  was  so  charmed,  and  I  planned  directly  to  bring 


CHARLIE    GREY.  351 

papa  to  the  place  the  very  next  day  ;  but  remembering 
poor  Gerald's  condition,  I  went  forward,  and  looking 
round  to  scan  the  grassy  plains  between  the  mountains 
and  the  lake,  I  was  astonished  to  see  a  number  of  large 
animals  grazing,  which  were  certainly  not  kangaroos, 
but  real,  downright  quadrupeds,  walking  on  their  four 
legs.  4  Here  's  a  grand  new  field  of  natural  history/ 
thought  I.  '  Yes,  we  must  certainly  take  up  our  quar- 
ters here.'  But,  halloo !  what  did  I  see  that  moment, 
hobbling  ungracefully  up  to  me,  but  our  old  friend 
Charlie  Grey !  " 

u  Charlie  Grey !  Edward  Deverell's  favorite  horse  !  " 
exclaimed  Margaret.  "  You  have  been  dreaming, 
Hugh  ;  it  could  not  be  !  " 

"  It  could  be,  Meggie,  for  it  really  was  he,"  answered 
Hugh.  "  Do  you  remember  how  we  used  to  feed  the 
handsome  fellow  with  bits  of  bread  on  the  voyage  ?  It 
came  into  my  mind  just  then,  and  I  plucked  a  handful 
of  oats,  and  held  them  out,  calling  '  Charlie !  Charlie  ! ' 
Poor,  dear  old  fellow  !  he  could  not  trot  up  to  me  as 
his  heart  wished,  but  he  limped  forward  as  well  as  his 
hobbles  would  allow  him." 

"  Hobbles  ! "  exclaimed  Wilkins  ;  "  then  he  'd  been 
nabbed  by  them  bush-rangers." 

"  Sure  enough  he  had,  Wilkins,"  continued  Hugh  ; 
and  there  were  five  or  six  strong  black  draught- 
horses,  besides  a  herd  of  bullocks  and  cows  ;  every 
beast,  I  '11  venture  to  say,  stolen  from  our  friend  Edward 
Deverell.  Well,  I  had  forgot  all  about  poor  Gerald 
and  the  water,  and  was  feeding  and  stroking  Charlie, 
when  I  saw  he  had  a  halter  on  his  neck ;  and  I  thought 
I  might  as  well  just  cut  the  hobbles,  mount  him,  ride  off 
to  take  Gerald  behind  me,  and  away  we  would  gallop 


352  THE  BUSHRANGER'S  CHARGE. 

home*  But  the  water !  —  I  had  forgotten  that  we  had 
no  vessel  to  contain  water  ;  but,  fortunately,  at  the  edge 
of  the  lake,  near  a  place  where  a  fire  had  been  kindled, 
I  saw  piles  of  large  mussel-shells.  I  filled  two,  placed 
them  in  my  hat,  and  slung  it  round  my  neck.  Then  I 
pulled  out  my  knife,  and  stooped  down  to  cut  Charlie's 
bonds  ;  but  just  then  such  yells  fell  on  my  ears  that  I 
started  up,  and  saw  on  one  of  the  heights  a  line  of  fierce 
looking  men,  attired  in  the  conspicuous  yellow  dress  of 
the  convicts.  Their  guns  were  directed  towards  me, 
and  there  was  no  longer  time  to  release  and  mount 
Charlie  ;  in  fact,  I  had  not  presence  of  mind  to  decide 
on  doing  it,  but  ran  off  as  fast  as  my  legs  would  cany 
me,  just  in  time  to  escape  a  volley  of  shots  from  the 
wretches.  Thankful  that  I  had  escaped  unhit,  I  fied 
desperately,  never  looking  behind  me  till  I  reached  poor 
Gerald,  whom  I  found  very  ill  and  restless,  parched 
with  thirst  ;  and  there  was  scarcely  a  teaspoonful  of 
water  left  in  the  shells,  from  my  rapid  flight.  I  was 
telling  him  my  story,  when  we  heard  a  tremendous  re- 
port of  fire-arms,  and  we  trembled  to  think  the  villains 
were  pursuing  me  ;  but  now  I  conclude  it  must  have 
been  your  signal-shot,  an  idea  which  never  occurred  to 
me  in  my  distracted  state.  I  then  got  Gerald  into  that 
little  hole,  and  dragged  the  great  kangaroo  after  him, 
that  nothing  suspicious  might  be  in  sight  if  they  followed 
me  ;  though  I  hardly  dared  to  hope  that  our  den  should 
escape  their  observation.  Dear  Gerald  groaned  and 
tossed  about  all  night.  How  much  I  did  grieve  that  I 
had  not  succeeded  in  bringing  him  the  water!  Nor 
was  our  condition  improved  next  morning,  for  I  was 
afraid  to  venture  out  beyond  the  hollow,  round  which  I 
sought  in  vain  for  any  fruit  or  juicy  herb  to  cool  our 


THE    PANGS    OF    THIRST.  353 

parched  mouths.  Gerald,  in  all  his  agony,  was  twice  as 
brave  as  I  was  ;  and  if  he  had  been  the  sound  one,  I 
know  he  would  have  risked  any  danger  to  obtain  help 
for  me." 

"  Botheration  !  Hugh,  my  boy,"  said  Gerald,  "  did  n't 
I  know  all  the  time  that  it  was  my  moans  and  groans 
that  made  you  turn  soft  and  sob  like  a  girl  ?  I  could  n't 
help  grunting  out  like  a  pig  shut  out  of  a  cabin  on  a 
rainy  night  ;  and  then  you  grunted  and  cried  too,  for 
company.  We  were  a  pair  of  pleasant,  jolly  fellows  all 
day,  Meggie,  as  you  may  easily  suppose.  Day,  indeed, 
do  I  say  !  why,  we  thought  it  must  be  a  week,  at  least ! 
As  night  came  on,  it  grew  very  cold,  and  Hugh  scram- 
bled out  to  gather  a  few  sticks  together  to  make  a  fire 
before  our  cave.  Before  he  came  back,  I  heard  the 
crack !  crack !  of  a  gun  running  from  rock  to  rock  ; 
and  when  I  saw  Hugh,  I  tried  to  speak  to  him  ;  and 
then  I  know  no  more  till  I  felt  the  cold  fig-juice  on  my 
dry  tongue.  Won't  I  like  figs  as  long  as  I  live  ;  and 
won't  I  have  an  alley  of  fig-trees  in  my  garden  when  I 
locate  —  squat,  I  mean,  and  build  a  mansion,  and  marry." 

"  Mrs.  O'Brien  may  possibly  object  to  the  Ficus  in 
her  garden,  Gerald,"  said  Arthur  ;  —  "it  is  not  a 
comely  tree  in  its  proportions  ;  but  the  question  may 
safely  rest  awhile.  Now,  Hugh,  after  you  heard  the 
gun?" 

"  Then  I  threw  more  wood  upon  the  fire,"  answered 
he,  "  that  the  smoke  might  be  seen,  and  crept  back  into 
the  cave  ;  for  I  could  not  get  over  the  fear  that  the 
shot  might  have  come  from  the  bushrangers  ;  and  I  had 
thus  given  them  a  signal  to  our  hiding-place.  Think 
of  my  joy  when  I  heard  the  voices  which  I  never  ex- 
pected to  hear  again ! " 

30* 


354  BANDITTI. 

Jenny  had  wept  abundantly  at  the  tale  of  suffering, 
and  she  now  endeavored  to  show  her  sympathy  by 
placing  before  the  fatigued  and  hungry  boys  another 
collation,  consisting  of  bean-coffee  sweetened  with 
honey,  and  sweet  oat-cakes ;  and  certainly,  if  Mr.  May- 
burn  had  not  interfered  with  grave  sanitary  admoni- 
tions, the  boys  were  in  danger  of  eating  themselves  into 
a  fever. 

"  I  have  thought  much  on  this  unfortunate  adven- 
ture," said  Mr.  Mayburn,  when  they  met  together  the 
next  morning.  "  It  is  a  fearful  reflection  to  know  that 
we  are  in  the  midst  of  a  horde  of  banditti,  ready  to  in- 
tercept our  least  movement.  What  shall  we  do  ?  We 
appear  to  be  in  safety  here  ;  but  this  lovely  spot  would 
become  a  prison  to  you  all,  if  you  were  forbidden  to 
move  from  it.  Arthur,  what  do  you  say?  Wilkins, 
my  good  man,  do  you  think  we  are  quite  safe  ?  " 

"  Not  ower  and  above,  I  say,  master,"  answered  Wil- 
kins ;  "  they're  just  ranging  hereabouts,  to  pick  up  re- 
cruits among  them  fools  of  black  fellows,  apd  to  keep 
out  of  t'  way  of  them  as  they  've  pillaged ;  and  they  're 
ripe  for  any  thieving  or  ill-doing  as  falls  in  their  way. 
But  they  'il  not  sattle  long  ;  they  '11  range  off  down  south 
to  turn  their  beasts  into  brandy,  and  we  'se  be  better  at 
their  heels  nor  afore  'em," 

"  I  think,  papa,  Wilkins  is  right,"  said  Arthur.  "  We 
may  rest  a  good  time  here  without  any  sacrifice  of  com- 
fort. We  have  grain  and  water  at  hand  ;  pigeons  and 
cockatoos  in  our  own  preserve,  asking  us  to  roast  them ; 
an  excellent  store  of  honey,  coffee,  and  tea,  as  we  are 
pleased  to  name  the  Australian  representatives  of  these 
luxuries  ;  spacious  and  dry  lodgings,  and  fresh  air. 
Certainly,  with  occasional  forays,  conducted  with  due 


CHARQUI.  355 

prudence,  we  shall  have  abundant  and  excellent  provis- 
ion for  any  length  of  time.  This  monstrous  kangaroo 
ought  to  supply  us  with  meat  for  many  days  ;  and  I 
think  we  might  dry  part  of  it  in  the  sun,  to  resemble 
the  South- American  ckarqui." 

"  It  is  an  admirable  idea,  Arthur,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn  ; 
"  we  shall  thus  avoid  the  sirr  of  wasting  the  good  gifts 
of  Providence.  I  have  read  a  description  of  the  pro- 
cess ;  I  know  the  meat  must  be  cut  in  slices,  and  I 
should  like  to  assist  you  in  carrying  out  the  plan,  though, 
practically,  I  am  inexperienced.  The  first  difficulty  ap- 
pears to  be,  how  to  avoid  the  destruction  of  the  skin  in 
slicing  it." 

"  Why,  papa,  we  skinned  him  this  morning,"  replied 
Hugh.  "  The  skin  is  already  cleaned  and  spread  to 
dry ;  we  shall  rub  it  with  a  little  fat,  to  render  it  plia- 
ble, and  then  we  shall  have  a  blanket  or  a  cloak  of  ines- 
timable value." 

"  True,  my  son  ;  I  had  forgotten  that  preliminary 
operation,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn.  "  But  still  I  cannot 
understand  how  we  shall  obtain  the  large  slices ;  —  the 
bones,  the  form  of  the  animal,  present  great  obstacles." 

"  Leave  it  to  the  experienced,  papa,"  said  Margaret. 
**  Wilkins  knows  how  to  slice  up  a  kangaroo." 

It  was  capital  employment  and  amusement  for  the 
active  to  cut  up  the  huge  animal  into  thin  slices,  which 
were  spread  out  on  the  bush,  and  the  ardent  sun  of  the 
climate,  even  at  this  late  season,  soon  dried  the  meat 
perfectly ;  and  Margaret  wove  grass  bags  to  pack  it  in  ; 
and  thus  several  days  passed  without  alarm  or  annoy- 
ance ;  and  with  due  care  and  attention  the  wound  of 
Gerald  was  perfectly  healed. 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 

The  Eagle's  Eyrie.  —  The  Chaotic  Solitude  disturbed.  —  The  Vol- 
untary Prisoners.  —  The  Report  of  the  Spy.  —  The  Foe  at  the 
Gates.  —  A  Traitor  in  the  Camp.  —  Dispersion  of  the  Invaders. — • 
A  lucky  Escape.  —  A  pleasant  Voyage. 

AFTER  a  few  days  more  had  elapsed,  the  close  con- 
finement became  irksome  to  all.  Baldabella,  accus- 
tomed to  a  free,  roving  life,  pleaded  her  great  desire  to 
fish  by  moonlight ;  and  as  there  was  less  danger  for  her 
than  for  the  white  men,  this  was  permitted,  and  she  re- 
turned safely  with  abundance  of  fish  to  increase  the 
store  of  provisions.  Then  Hugh  and  Gerald,  unlucky 
as  their  last  expedition  had  been,  begged  humbly  that 
they  might  be  allowed  to  put  their  noses  out  beyond  the 
bars  of  their  cage. 

"  No,  no  !  unruly  boys,"  answered  Margaret ;  "  you 
have  a  spacious  pleasaunce  around  you ;  be  content  and 
thankful  to  enjoy  it." 

"  Then  surely  we  may  climb  the  woods  at  the  side  ?  " 
said  Hugh.  "  We  want  to  find  the  nests  of  the  strange 
birds  we  hear  above  us.  No  harm  can  befall  us  in  our 
own  domain ;  it  will  be  only  like  running  up  a  ladder, 
the  brush  is  so  thick  and  low.  Come  along,  Gerald, 
and  let  us  inspect  the  wonders  of  our  aviary." 

Mr.  Mayburu  would  really  have  liked  himself  to 
have  a  peep  into  the  many  holes  and  crannies  of  the 
rocks,  which  sent  forth  such  multitudes  of  birds,  and  he 
could  not  object  to  the  expedition.  The  agile  boys  made 
no  delay,  but,  clinging  to  the  bushes,  sprung  up  the  al- 

(356) 


THE    CHAOTIC    SOLITUDE.  357 

most  perpendicular  side  of  the  mountain,  disturbing  the 
domestic  peace  of  the  tender  pigeons,  provoking  the 
voluble  abuse  of  the  noisy  cockatoos,  and  finally,  at  the 
summit,  regarding  with  awe,  at  a  respectful  distance, 
the  eyrie  of  the  dark  eagle,  which,  with  the  fire  of  its 
fierce  eyes,  defied  their  approach. 

"  We  will  avoid  any  offence  to  Aquila"  said  Hugh. 
"  We  might  come  to  the  worse  again,  Gerald.  But 
where  are  you  mounting  now  ?  " 

"  Only  to  the  peak,  Hugh,"  answered  he.  "  I  should 
like  to  have  a  peep  round,  to  find  out  what  our  neigh- 
borhood is."  And  the  active  boy  soon  gained  the  high- 
est point,  and  stood  there,  an  Australian  Mercury,  on 
the  "  heaven-kissing  hill." 

"  What  a  wonderful  sight !  "  he  cried  out.  "  Do 
come  up,  Hugh,  to  see  these  heights,  and  hollows,  and 
windings,  —  a  rocky  chaos !  It  is  like  the  beginning  of 
a  new  world ! "  Then  turning  round  to  observe  the 
scene  at  his  left  hand,  he  suddenly  cried  out,  in  a  tone 
of  alarm,  —  "  Halloo  !  I  'm  in  for  it  now  ! "  and  as  he 
hastily  descended  from  his  elevated  position,  the  report 
of  fire-arms,  multiplied  as  usual  among  the  mountains, 
proved  that  the  chaotic  solitude  was  not  free  from  the 
visitation  of  man. 

"  Down !  down !  hurry  to  them,  Hugh  ! "  continued 
Gerald,  now  safe  from  the  shots.  "  Tell  them  to  gather 
in  the  charqui,  and  the  firewood,  and  all  things  scattered 
about.  Above  all,  let  Ruth  carry  off  the  poultry,  and 
gag  that  noisy  cock ;  the  rangers  are  at  our  heels.  I 
shall  take  up  my  abode  in  this  darling  little  oven  behind 
the  bushes,  and  if  they  should  mount  the  ramparts,  I 
shall  be  able  to  act  spy.  No  words  about  it,  but  be  off) 
.  It  is  safer  here  than  down  below." 


358  A   PRUDENT    SECLUSION. 

There  was  indeed  no  time  for  Hugh  to  delay,  for 
many  traces  of  habitation  were  scattered  over  the  val- 
ley. Buckets  stood  at  the  well ;  linen  was  spread  to 
dry ;  the  charqui  was  exposed  on  the  bushes  ;  knives 
and  axes  were  lying  about,  and  the  hens  and  chickens, 
and  men  and  women,  were  all  out,  enjoying  the  open 
air.  When  Hugh  dropped  among  them,  breathless  and 
pale,  to  tell  his  vexatious  tale,  they  had  somewhat  an- 
ticipated the  danger,  from  hearing  the  report  of  the  fire- 
arms ;  and  all  hands  were  already  employed  to  endeavor 
to  restore  to  the  busy  valley  the  wild  and  solitary  as- 
pect of  undisturbed  nature.  The  fowls  were  collected 
into  their  coop,  which  was  placed  in  a  dark  hollow ;  and 
though  they  did  not  follow  Gerald's  advice,  and  gag  the 
tell-tale  cock,  they  threw  a  large  cloak  over  the  coop, 
and  chanticleer,  duped  into  the  belief  that  it  was  night, 
folded  his  wings,  and,  mounted  on  his  perch,  resigned 
himself  to  repose  amidst  his  family. 

When  they  had  restored  to  the  lately  populous  vale 
as  natural  an  appearance  as  circumstances  would  allow, 
they  all  withdrew  into  the  largest  cave,  and  filled  up 
the  entrance,  with  an  appearance  of  artful  disorder,  with 
rocky  fragments,  very  impatient  for  Gerald's  return  to 
report  the  extent  of  the  danger  to  which  they  were  ex- 
posed, and  the  best  mode  of  escaping  from  it.  But  af- 
ter waiting  a  considerable  time  in  their  gloomy  prison, 
weary  of  compelled  inaction,  every  heart  was  filled  with 
anxiety  at  the  protracted  absence  of  the  adventurous 
boy.  Three  hours  elapsed,  and  after  listening  and  look- 
ing through  the  crevices  of  the  rock  in  vain,  Arthur 
was  on  the  point  of  venturing  out  to  ascend  the  cliffs 
himself,  when  Gerald's  voice  was  heard  whispering 
through  a  narrow  opening,  "  Is  it  a  serpent  or  a  genie 


A  SPY.  359 

you  think  I  am,  to  glide  through  this  peep-hole  ?  Open 
sesame ! " 

There  was  no  time  lost  in  admitting  the  welcome  vis- 
itor. "  Now,  then  !  "  said  he  ;  "  quick !  quick !  the  foe 
is  at  the  gate.  Now,  my  boys,  do  the  thing  nately,  as 
we  Irish  say.  We  must  n't  build  it  up  like  a  wall  you 
see,  Jack." 

It  was  not  built  like  a  wall;  but  by  the  united 
strength  of  the  party,  an  immense  mass  of  rock  was 
rolled  before  the  opening,  which  nearly  closed  it,  the 
pendent  branches  from  above  concealing  the  fissures, 
and  affording  light  and  a  means  of  making  observations 
in  safety. 

"  Now,  Gerald,"  said  Margaret,  "  I  beseech  you  to 
tell  me  what  is  the  meaning  of  all  this  alarm  ?  " 

"  All  my  fault ;  my  ill  luck  again,  Meggie,"  answered 
he.  "  I  would  erect  myself  like  a  statue  at  the  very 
summit  of  the  mountains ;  and  from  thence  I  saw  on  a 
plain  below  half  a  dozen  fellows  mounted  on  horseback, 
whom  I  recognized,  by  their  canary-colored  garments, 
to  be  those  wicked  convicts.  I  sank  down  from  my 
eminence  in  a  moment,  but  not  before  the  hawk-eyed 
rogues  had  seen  me  and  fired.  I  was  not  hit ;  but  I 
expected  they  would  be  after  me  if  they  could  climb 
through  the  brush,  so  I  crept  into  a  snug  little  hollow 
just  below  the  peak,  arranged  my  leafy  curtains  in  an 
elegant  manner,  and  waited  to  receive  my  company  so 
long  that  I  had  really  dropped  asleep,  and  was  only 
awaked  by  the  rough,  coarse  voices  of  men  swearing 
and  using  language  which  I  have  done  my  best  to  forget 
altogether. 

"  They  seemed  to  be  in  a  great  rage,  and  one  wicked 
wretch  swore  dreadfully  and  said,  *  It 's  the  same  ugly 


360  THE    BATTLE    WITH   THE    EAGLE. 

little  cove  as  we  blazed  at  afore.  He  's  a  spy  sent  out 
by  them  p'lice,  and  he  's  off  to  inform  against  us.  We  '11 
burn  him  alive  if  we  lay  hands  on  him.' 

"  I  did  n't  want  to  be  burnt  alive,  so  I  crept  into  a 
corner,  and  lay  still  as  a  mouse. 

" '  T  'other  chap  were  bigger,  I  say,'  growled  another 
fellow. 

"  '  Haud  yer  jaw,'  answered  the  first ;  '  think  ye  they 
keep  a  pack  of  young  hounds  like  this  to  point  free  ran- 
gers ?  But  where 's  he  slunk  ?  ' 

"  *  I  say,  Bill,'  called  out  a  third  voice,  *  look  ye  down 
here.  It  rs  a  snug,  cunning  hole ;  will 't  be  t'  p'lice  office, 
think  ye?' 

"'  How  'd  they  get  at  it,  man  ? '  replied  Bill.  <  Dost 
thee  think  they  ?ve  got  wings  to  flee  down  ? ' 

"'I 'se  warrant  ye,  we '11  somehow  find  a  road  into  it,' 
said  the  first  voice.  '  We  'se  try,  at  ony  end  ;  for  we  '11 
have  to  clear  our  way  afore  we  set  out  on  another  spree. 
I'se  about  tired  of  eating  flesh,  now  t' brandy's  all 
swallowed ;  and  if  we  could  light  on  Black  Peter,  we  'd 
be  off  on  some  grand  job  to  set  us  up  again.' 

"  c  Halloo !  lads  !  what 's  this  ? ' 

"  Then  I  heard  oaths,  and  strange  screams,  and  blows, 
and  something  heavy  flopped  past  my  den,  screaming ; 
and  was  n't  I  in  a  grand  fright  to  think  that  one  of  these 
rogues  had  found  such  a  ready  road  down  to  our 
grounds.  But  I  soon  heard  the  men  above  me  again, 
cursing  the  venomous  bird  ;  and  I  guessed  then  that  they 
had  fallen  in  with  our  friend  Aquila,  and,  perhaps,  been 
worsted.  I  ventured  cautiously  to  look  down,  and  saw 
the  poor  eagle  fluttering  and  hopping  about  below,  half 
killed  by  the  brutes  no  doubt ;  but  by  degrees  I  heard 
their  voices  dying  away,  and  was  sure  they  were  with- 


THE    CITADEL    IN    DANGER.  361 

drawing.  Then  I  took  courage,  and  slipped  down  my 
rude  ladder  as  briskly  as  a  lamp-lighter,  and  was  with 
you,  only  pausing  a  moment  to  look  at  the  poor  eagle  as 
I  passed,  lying  crouched  in  a  corner  covered  with  blood, 
and  extending  a  broken  wing.  And  now,  Arthur,  don't 
you  think  our  citadel  is  in  danger  ?  " 

"  Indeed  I  do,  Gerald,"  answered  Arthur.  "  All  we 
can  do  is  to  keep  closely  hidden  as  long  as  we  can,  and 
then  to  fight  for  our  dear  friends  who  cannot  fight  for 
themselves.  We  have  weapons,  —  spears,  arrows,  and 
two  rifles ;  and  we  have  a  capital  position  for  defending 
the  weak.  If  there  be  no  more  than  six  men,  we  will 
defy  them." 

"That  will  be  capital,"  said  Gerald,  —  "a  regular 
siege.  How  is  the  castle  provisioned,  Jenny  ?  " 

"  Why,  lucky  enough,  Master  Gerald,"  answered  she, 
"  we  fetched  in  here,  because  it  was  nighest  at  hand,  all 
the  dried  meat,  and  the  skin,  and  we  filled  the  buckets 
Jbefore  we  brought  them  from  the  well ;  and  that 's  just 
what  we  have,  barring  a  few  cakes  ;  for  one  never 
looked  for  being  shut  up  here  like.  There's  all  the 
oats,  and  the  tea  and  coffee,  and  the  firewood,  are  left  in 
what  we  called  our  kitchen." 

"  We  'se  do,"  said  Wilkins,  "  we  'se  soon  sattle  their 
business,  I  reckon,"  looking  grimly  at  the  edge  of  his 
knife  as  he  sharpened  it  upon  a  stone ;  adding,  "  And 
how  and  about  them  guns,  captain  ?  Who 's  to  work 
'em?" 

"I  shall  take  one  myself,"  answered  Arthur;  "and 
if  I  thought  I  could  trust  to  your  discretion,  Wilkins,  I 
would  put  the  other  into  your  hands." 

"  You  may  trust  me  for  bringing  down  my  bird,"  said 
31 


362  THE    SIEGE    IN    EARNEST. 

the  man  ;  "  that's  what  I  were  always  up  to,  or  I  had  n't 
been  here." 

"  What  I  mean  you  to  understand  by  discretion,  Wil- 
kins,"  said  Arthur,  "  is,  that  you  are  not  to  fire  till  I 
order  you ;  and  then  to  wing,  not  to  bring  down  your 
bird." 

"  Why,  what  '&  the  good  of  that  ?  "  remonstrated  Wil- 
kins;  "it's  like  giving  a  rogue  a  ticket  of  leave,  just  to 
turn  a  thief  into  a  murderer;  that's  what  ye '11  get  for 
being  soft.  I  ken  my  chap? :  ye  'd  better  make  an  end 
on  'em." 

"  It  would  be  unjust  and  inhuman,"  said  Mr.  May- 
burn.  "  These  mistaken  men  may  not  intend  to  hurt 
any  of  us." 

"  Except  to  burn  me  alive,  sir,"  said  Gerald. 

"  That,  I  apprehend,  my  boy,"  answered  Mr.  May- 
burn,  "  was  but  an  exaggerated  form  of  speech.  But, 
hark !  what  noise  do  I  hear  ?  " 

Sounds  were  heard  like  the  rolling  of  stones.  Arthur 
commanded  silence,  as  every  thing  depended  on  their 
remaining  watchful  and  still.  Then  voices  were  distin- 
guished, and,  through  the  green  pendent  branches,  men 
were  seen  in  the  tranquil  valley,  —  men  in  the  felon's 
marked  dress  of  grey  and  yellow,  ferocious  in  aspect, 
coarse  and  blasphemous  in  language.  Mr.  Mayburn 
shuddered  as  he  heard,  for  the  first  time,  the  oaths  and 
defiant  words  of  hardened  infidels ;  and  the  good  man 
kneeled  down  to  pray  that  God  would  visit  with  a  ray 
of  grace  these  lost  sinners. 

"  Ay !  ay ! "  cried  one,  "  here  are  the  tracks  of  the 
gentry  coves :  and  look  ye,  Jem,  here  's  a  woman's  bit 
of  a  shoemark.  What  will  they  be  acting  here,  I  'd  like 


A   TRAITOR    IN    THE    CAMP.  363 

to  know.  If  we  could  fall  on  that  saucy  lad  now,  I  'd 
just  wring  his  neck  about  for  him." 

Gerald  made  up  a  queer  face  at  Hugh,  but  they  did 
not  dare  to  laugh. 

"  Will  they  have  oughts  of  cash  with  them  ?  "  growled 
another  man.  "  What  do  we  want  with  women  and 
lads?" 

"  To  trade  with  'em,  man,"  answered  the  other  ;  "  to 
swop  'em  yonder  among  t'  squatters  for  cash  down. 
We  '11  thrust  some  of  them  black  fellows  forward  to  bar- 
gain for  us ;  they  're  easy  wrought  on  to  do  a  job  like 
that.  But  where  can  their  den  be  ?  they  're  surely  flitted." 

Examining  every  open  cave  and  hollow  in  the  sur- 
rounding rocks,  the  men,  using  the  most  violent  and 
abusive  language,  searched  the  little  valley  in  vain  ; 
and  the  anxious  prisoners  began  to  hope  that  they 
would  soon  be  wearied  out  and  retire,  when  suddenly 
they  were  appalled  by  a  shrill  triumphant  crow  from 
the  little  bantam  cock,  which  had  probably  discovered 
the  deception  practised  on  him.  A  momentary  silence 
was  followed  by  shouts  and  loud  laughter,  as  the  invad- 
ers rushed  to  the  prison-house  of  the  impatient  fowls. 

Wilkins  muttered  unspeakable  words,  and  darted  a 
furious  glance  at  Ruth  ;  and  Gerald,  with  a  deep  low 
groan,  whispered,  "  A  traitor  in  the  camp ! "  while 
Ruth  climbed  up  to  an  opening,  in  great  alarm,  to  ob- 
serve the  fate  of  her  beloved  pets.  That  was  soon  de- 
termined. The  voice  of  the  unlucky  bird  had  plainly 
pointed  out  its  abode  ;  the  stony  prison  was  forced 
open  ;  a  crowing,  a  screaming,  and  a  fluttering  were 
heard  ;  two  of  the  fowls  were  seen  to  fly  awkwardly  to 
the  bushes,  above  the  reach  of  the  marauders,  and 


364  THE    CRISIS. 

chanticleer  was  beheld  by  his  distracted  mistress,  swung 
round  lifeless,  with  his  head  grasped  by  his  destroyer. 

At  this  cruel  spectacle,  the  simple  girl  could  no  longer 
control  her  feelings.  She  uttered  a  piercing  shriek  ; 
Jenny  sprang  on  her  too  late  to  stop  the  indiscretion, 
and  dragged  her  from  the  opening,  shaking  her  vio- 
lently, and  even  provoked  so  far  as  to  administer  a  little 
sound  boxing  of  the  ears,  declaring  that  the  girl  ought 
to  be  hanged  ;  while  Wilkins,  with  ill-repressed  fury, 
shook  his  hand  at  the  unfortunate  offender,  and  then 
said,  "  It 's  all  up  now  !  Stand  to  yer  guns,  my  hear- 
ties ;  we  'se  have  a  tight  bout  on  V 

"  Ay,  man  the  walls  ! "  cried  Gerald,  — 


a  i 


Hold  hard  the  breath,  and  bend  up  every  spirit 
To  his  full  height!     On,  on,  ye  noble  English! '  " 


"  Quieter  ye  are,  t'  better,  Mr.  Gerald,"  said  Wilkins. 
*  What  say  ye,  Mr.  Arthur,  if  we  fix  on  our  port-holes  ; 
and  then,  if  we  pick  out  our  chaps,  we  '11  soon  thin  'em." 

"  By  no  means,"  said  Mr.  May  burn.  "  Such  a  pro- 
ceeding would  be  unfair  ;  the  men  would  not  even  see 
their  enemies." 

"  An  ambush  is  always  fair  in  the  strategy  of  war," 
said  Hugh.  "  These  men  are  invaders,  papa,  and  we 
have  a  right  to  drive  them  off. " 

The  affair  soon  came  to  a  crisis  ;  the  cry  of  Ruth 
had  not  passed  unnoticed.  The  men  rushed  up  to  the 
fortress,  and  with  stones  and  clubs  endeavored  to  force 
an  entrance.  A  volley  of  shots  and  arrows  drove  them 
back,  wounded,  and  furious  in  their  language  ;  but 
when  the  firing  ceased,  they  took  courage,  and  again 
advanced  to  renew  the  attempt.  This  time  aim  was 


THE    INVADERS    DISPERSED.  365 

taken,  and  two  men  fell  dead,  or  desperately  wounded  ; 
and  they  retired  once  more,  and  entered  into  some  con- 
sultation unheard  by  their  opponents.  Then  a  villain- 
ous-looking fellow  cried  out,  in  a  taunting  manner, 

"  I  say,  ye  cowardly  chaps,  show  yer  faces,  and  'liver 
yersel's  up  afore  yer  forced  to  it ;  we  'se  use  ye  well, 
and  keep  ye  till  ye  raise  cash  to  pay  yer  ransom.  Else, 
mark  my  words,  if  ye  send  any  more  of  yer  murdering 
shots,  we  '11  take  ye  at  last,  and  twist  all  yer  necks 
while  yer  living." 

"  Mistaken  man  ! "  cried  Mr.  Mayburn,  "  why  will 
you  provoke  the  wrath  of  God  by  causing  desolation 
and  slaughter  among  his  glorious  works?  Know  you 
not  that  for  all  these  things  God  will  bring  you  to  judg- 
ment ?  " 

"  Halloo !  "  cried  the  wretch  ;  "  what  !  ye  've  gotten 
a  missioner  amang  ye.  He  '11  do  precious  little  harm." 

"  His  only  desire  is  to  do  good,"  said  Arthur.  "  But 
you  are  mistaken  if  you  think  us  cowards.  We  have 
brave  men  among  us,  who  will  not  submit  to  any  treaty 
with  convicts.  We  have  nothing  to  give  you  ;  we  are 
shipwrecked  voyagers,  who  have  only  saved  our  guns, 
and  with  them  we  will  defend  our  lives  and  liberty. 
We  do  not  wish  to  injure  you  if  you  will  leave  us  in 
peace  ;  and  you  have  neither  means  nor  numbers  to 
overcome  us." 

"  We  'se  see  about  that,"  answered  the  man.  "  We'se 
soon  raise  force  to  burn  or  starve  ye  out." 

Another  consultation  succeeded  ;  and  finally  they  de- 
parted, leaving  the  besieged  under  the  disagreeable  im- 
pression that  they  had  only  departed  to  procure  a  rein- 
forcement. 

"  What  a  different  set  of  fellows  Robin  Hood's  Free 
31* 


366  A  SCOUT. 

Rangers  were,"  said  Hugh.  "  Gerald  and  I  have  many 
a  time  longed  to  have  lived  in  merry  Sherwood." 

"Lawlessness  inevitably  leads  to  crime,"  said  Mr. 
Mayburn.  "  I  fear  the  halo  of  chivalry  and  romance 
blinds  us  as  to  the  real  character  of  those  outlaws." 

"  Yes,  Hugh,"  said  Arthur  ;  "  if  your  bold  archers 
of  Sherwood  were  to  attempt  their  troublesome  frolics 
in  these  days,  the  police  would  soon  arrest  their  course, 
and  we  should  see  Robin  Hood  and  his  merry  men 
placed  on  the  treadmill." 

"  There's  no  time  to  talk  about  treadmills,  Mr.  Ar- 
thur," said  Wilkins.  "  T'  boats  is  safe  ;  and  what  say 
ye  if  we  be  off?  They  '11  not  be  back  yet  a  bit  ;  for 
they  '11  have  to  gather  up  them  black  fellows  and  talk 
'em  ower  wi'  lots  of  lies  ;  but  if  we  were  out  of  this 
queer  hole  and  just  free-like  on  t'  water,  we  'd  manage 
to  distance  yon  awkward  scamps  yet.  But  we  ought 
to  start  off-hand." 

"My  good  man,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  "I  feel  in 
greater  safety  here  than  if  I  were  wandering  through 
the  labyrinths  of  these  mountains,  where  we  might  any 
moment  be  surprised  and  captured." 

"  We  must  send  out  a  scout,"  said  Arthur.  "  Who 
will  be  the  safest  ?  I  object  to  no  one  but  Gerald,  who 
would  inevitably  rush  into  the  camp  of  the  enemy." 

Gerald  bowed  to  the  compliment,  and  Wilkins  said, 
"  I  Ve  a  sort  of  notion,  Mr.  Arthur,  as  how  Baldabella 
would  suit  better  nor  ony  of  us.  Ye  see,  these  jins  are 
used  to  spying  work." 

When  Baldabella  fully  understood  the  important  ser- 
vice required  of  her,  she  started  up,  ready  at  once  to 
undertake  it,  and  as  soon  as  the  heavy  barrier  was 
moved,  glided  through  the  aperture,  and  fled  lightly  on 


AGAIN    AFLOAT.  367 

her  errand.  During  her  absence,  the  rest  made  ready 
all  their  burdens  again  for  recommencing  their  pilgrim- 
age ;  and  the  time  seemed  incredibly  short  till  the  wo- 
man returned  with  a  bright  countenance,  saying, — 
"  Bad  men  go  much  far  ;  smoke  for  black  fellows  come. 
White  man  go  away  now ;  very  hush  ;  no  see  he  be 
gone." 

Reassured  by  her  words,  the  family  emerged  from 
their  stronghold.  The  men  pulled  down  the  stones  they 
had  piled  to  conceal  the  canoes,  brought  them  out,  and 
then,  heavily  laden,  commenced  their  march.  But  at 
the  moment  of  departure  a  loud  clucking  of  the  escaped 
fowls  arrested  the  weeping  Ruth,  who  summoned,  by 
calls  and  scattered  grains,  the  small  remainder  of  her 
charge,  —  two  fowls  ;  which  she  placed  once  more  in 
their  coop,  and  with  a  lightened  heart,  disregarded  this 
addition  to  her  burden,  and  followed  the  procession, 
which  was  now  led  by  Baldabella,  who  had  discovered 
the  shortest  road  through  the  windings  of  the  mountains 
to  the  banks  of  the  river.  When  the  welcome  stream 
was  seen  before  them,  the  boats  were  once  more  launched 
and  laden,  and  on  the  smooth  but  rapid  river  they  were 
quickly  carried  from  the  scene  of  danger. 

"  That  rogue  who  argued  with  you,  Arthur,"  said 
Gerald,  "  was  the  very  fellow  that  threatened  to  burn 
me  alive,  and  sure  enough,  if  we  had  surrendered  to 
them,  we  should  all  have  been  piled  up  for  a  bonfire. 
Don't  you  think  so,  Wilkins  ?  " 

"  Why,  Master  Gerald,"  answered  he,  "  I  '11  not  say 
that,  'cause  as  how  they  could  have  made  nought  of  our 
dead  bones.  Money 's  what  they  look  to :  they  'd  sell 
us,  plunder  us,  strip  us  of  every  rag  we  have,  but,  bar- 
rin'  we  went  again  'em,  and  wrought  'em  up,  mad-like, 


3G8  ANTICIPATIONS. 

they  'd  hardly  trouble  to  burn  us.  But  I  '11  not  say  how 
it  might  be  if  they  turned  us  ower  to  them  hungry  black 
fellows;  they'd  likely  enough  roast  and  eat  us,  but 
white  chaps  has  no  stomach  for  meat  of  that  sort." 

"  Whither  can  we  flee  to  avoid  these  desperate  canni- 
bals ?  "  said  Mr.  Mayburn.  "  Do  you  conceive,  Wil- 
kins,  that  the  river  is  really  the  safest  course  ?  " 

"  Safe  enough,  master,"  answered  the  man,  "  so  long 
as  we  stick  to  our  boats,  and  can  keep  our  jaws  at  work. 
But  we'se  want  meat,  and  them  black  fellows  gets  thicker 
farther  south.  We  'se  fall  in  with  mony  an  ill-looking 
lot  on  'em  as  we  run  down ;  and  likely  enough,  we  'se 
have  to  rattle  a  shot  at  'em  nows  and  thens." 

"  God  forbid  that  we  should  be  compelled  to  shed 
more  blood,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn.  "I  feel  my  heart  op- 
pressed with  sorrow  when  1  behold  the  sin  and  ignorance 
of  these  people,  and,  alas !  I  know  not  how  to  alleviate 
it :  I  can  only  pray  for  them." 

"  We  will  trust  that  our  prayers  may  avail  with  a 
merciful  God,"  said  Margaret;  "and  if  we  should  be 
permitted  to  reach  the  estate  of  Edward  Deverell,  we 
will  all  labor,  papa,  to  diffuse  instruction  around  us ;  and 
in  His  own  good  time,  I  trust,  God  will  spread  the  light 
of  His  truth  to  the  remotest  corner  of  these  yet  barbar- 
ous regions.  I  feel  already  as  if  I  saw  Daisy  Grange 
plainly  before  us." 

"  There 's  mony  a  hundred  mile  atween  us  and  them 
ye  talk  on,"  said  Wilkins,  morosely  ;  "  and  I  'se  be  cast 
away  sure  enough  when  ye  turn  in  among  them  squat- 
ters. They  're  all  sharp  enough  to  put  their  claws  on 
an  idle  vagabond  like  me,  and  send  him  back,  to  chains 
and  hard  commons." 

"That  shall  never  be,  Wilkins,"  replied  Hugh.     "It 


A   FORAGING   PARTY.  369 

is  settled  that  you  and  I  are  never  to  part ;  and  if  Ed- 
ward Deverell  should  refuse  to  receive  you,  we,  will 
squat  by  ourselves ;  like  Robinson  Crusoe  and  his  man 
Friday,  build  a  hut,  and  shoot  kangaroos." 

Arthur  laughed  at  the  plan  of  a  separate  establish- 
ment, and  assured  Wilkins  of  certain  protection  in  that 
home  they  pined  to  reach  ;  -  and  a  calm  and  pleasant 
hope  now  filled  every  heart,  as  hours  and  days  passed 
easily  while  they  sailed  down  the  broad  river  undisturbed 
by  cares  or  dread,  till  the  failure  of  provisions  and  a 
great  change  in  the  scenery  roused  them  from  their 
pleasant  dream. 

"  This  is  a  melancholy  and  desert-like  heath,"  said 
Arthur,  as  he  looked  beyond  the  low  banks  upon  a  wide 
extent  grown  over  with  the  low  entangled  brush ;  u  but 
we  must  make  a  foraging  party  to  replenish  our  bas- 
kets. I  can  see  on  some  marshy  patches  a  scattering 
of  wild  oats,  and  we  may  hope  to  find  some  of  the  feath- 
ered gluttons  that  feed  on  them." 

"  And  please  to  bring  some  tea-leaves,  if  you  can  find 
them.  Mr.  Arthur,"  said  Jenny ;  "  I  get  on  badly  with- 
out a  drop  of  tea,  such  as  it  is." 

"  Now,  boys,"  said  Arthur,  "  get  out  the  axes.  We 
must  clear  a  place  among  the  reeds  for  Margaret  and 
my  father ;  then  we  will  moor  the  canoes  safely,  and 
leave  a  guard  to  watch  them,  while  we  go  off  on  our 
exploring  expedition,," 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

The  Cookery  disturbed.  —  A  Signal-rocket.  —  A  Surprise  and  Cap- 
ture. —  Pillage.  —  The  Taste  of  Gunpowder.  —  A  Fatal  Explo- 
sion.—  The  Contrivances  of  Necessity.  —  A  Region  of  Famine. — 
Renewed  Hopes.  —  An  Unfair  Advantage 

A  NOOK  was  soon  cleared,  where  the  family  landed, 
and  the  light  eanoes  were  drawn  close  to  shore,  and 
moored  to  the  canes.  Then  the  fine  rushes  were  cut 
down  and  spread  to  form  seats  for  Margaret  and  her 
father  ;  and  Arthur,  with  Wilkins  and  Jack,  set  out 
with  guns  and  bows,  leaving  Hugh  and  O'Brien  to 
guard  the  encampment.  Baldabella  then  went  off  with 
her  spear,  and  soon  pierced  several  large  fish  ;  and 
While  Mr.  Mayburn  took  out  his  book,  and  Margaret 
talked  to  Nakinna,  Jenny  and  Ruth  made  a  fire  to  broil 
the  fish. 

Already  the  cooking  began  to  smell  temptingly,  and 
the  hungry  little  girl  was  dancing  joyfully  about  the 
fire,  watching  till  the  repast  was  ready,  when  Baldabella 
suddenly  threw  down  her  spear,  started  forward,  and 
laying  her  hand  on  Margaret's  arm,  she  held  up  her  fin- 
ger in  an  attitude  of  warning,  and  bent  forward  as  if  lis- 
tening. Then  drawing  a  deep  sigh,  she  whispered 
through'  her  closed  teeth  — "  Baldabella  hear  him, 
missee  ;  black  fellow  come  —  one,  two,  many  —  eat 
missee  —  eat  Nakinna  —  burn  all !  "  Then  snatching 
up  her  child,  she  gazed  wildly  round,  and  her  fears  were 
confirmed  a  minute  after,  by  the  fatal  cry  ringing  through 
( a7ft  > 


A    SIGNAL-ROCKET.  371 

the  reeds,  which  announced  the  proximity  of  the  dreaded 
natives. 

The  boys,  who  were  rambling  about  among  the  bam- 
boos, searching  for  nests,  at  the  vexatious  sound  of  the 
coo-ee,  left  their  spoil  to  hurry  to  the  encampment,  and 
entreat  their  father  and  sister  to  embark  at  once  and 
seek  safety ;  but  Mr.  Mayburn  could  not  be  persuaded 
to  leave  the  absent. 

"  Then  let  us  make  a  sally  to  bring  them  up,"  said 
Gerald ;  "  no  time  should  be  lost ;  we  have  our  bows  to 
defend  ourselves,  though  they  carried  the  guns  with 
them." 

"  But  they  must  have  heard  the  coo-ee  as  well  as  we 
did,"  replied  Hugh !  "  and,  depend  on  it,  they  are  on 
the  road  back  to  us.  I  say,  nurse,  we  must  eat  our  fish 
cold ;  just  pull  that  fire  to  pieces." 

Ruth  the  unlucky,  always  officious,  took  a  bucket  of 
water  and  threw  it  over  the  blazing  sticks ;  on  which  a 
dark,  dense  smoke  rose  up  from  them  like  a  column,  and 
the  cries  of  the  natives  were  now  heard  loud  and  trium- 
phant. 

"Oh!  Ruth,  Ruth!"  said  Hugh,  "you  have  sent  up 
a  signal-rocket  to  them.  Margaret  and  papa,  do  step 
into  the  canoe ;  there  is  more  safety  on  the  river  than 
here." 

"  I  do  not  see  that,  Hugh,"  answered  Mr.  Mayburn ; 
"  the  water  is  so  shallow  here,  that  they  could  wade  to 
us,  and  we  must  not  run  down  the  stream  and  leave  our 
kind  foragers." 

A  loud  rustling  and  crackling  among  the  reeds  pre- 
vented more  words ;  the  boys  would  have  sent  their  ar- 
rows into  the  thicket,  but  Margaret  besought,  and  Mr. 
Mayburn  commanded,  that  they  should  not  begin 


372  THE    FATE    OF    THE    FOWLS. 

aggression,  and  a  few  minutes  rendered  these  weapons 
absolutely  useless,  for  they  were  closely  surrounded  by 
a  numerous  tribe  of  natives,  carrying  spears.  But  the 
anxious  voyagers  soon  discovered  that  the  people  were 
peacefully  inclined,  for  they  made  no  attempt  to  injure 
the  strangers,  but  with  loud  cries  and  rapidly-uttered 
words,  seemed  to  express  astonishment  rather  than  an- 
ger. 

One  man  took  Margaret's  large  sun-hat  from  her 
head  and  placed  it  on  his  own,  which  so  much  delighted 
the  rest,  that  all  the  hats  of  the  party  were  coolly  and 
speedily  appropriated,  without  any  opposition  from  the 
rightful  owners,  except  from  Ruth,  who  tied  her  bonnet 
so  firmly  under  her  chin,  that  the  rough  attempts  of  the 
man  to  tear  it  from  her  head  nearly  strangled  her,  till 
Margaret  stepped  forward  to  relieve  her  by  loosing  the 
strings. 

O'Brien,  also,  was  so  indignant  when  one  of  the  sav- 
ages came  to  claim  his  hat,  that  he  flung  it  into  the  river, 
but  the  man  leaped  in  and  rescued  it,  and  at  the  same 
time  he  discovered  the  canoes,  and  summoned  his 
friends  vociferously  to  look  on  these  new  treasures.  In 
the  mean  time  the  fish  already  cooked  was  devoured  by 
some  of  the  natives,  and  the  rest  revived  the  fire  to  cook 
the  remainder  of  Baldabella's  spoil. 

Jenny's  shawl  was  next  discovered,  and  appropriated 
by  a  bold  marauder,  who  threw  it,  in  not  ungraceful 
drapery,  over  his  uncovered  shoulders.  Another  savage 
stripped  from  Ruth  a  large  cloak  which  she  had  hastily 
put  on  to  conceal  the  basket  which  contained  her  last 
two  fowls,  which  she  held  on  her  arm.  This  basket  was 
a  new  prize,  and  the  fowls  were  regarded  with  much  cu- 
riosity. 


SPOLIATION.  373 

"  Oh !  tell  'em  not  to  twine  their  necks  about,  Mis- 
tress Baldabella,"  cried  Ruth.  "  Tell  'em  what  bonnie 
creaters  they  are,  laying  every  day,  too." 

But  Baldabella,  shy  and  fearful,  had  slunk  behind  the 
rest,  and  Margaret  undertook  to  point  out  to  the  robber 
the  value  of  the  fowls,  by  showing  him  the  eggs  and  ca- 
ressing the  birds.  The  man  grinned,  to  express  that 
he  understood  the  explanation,  sucked  the  eggs,  and 
then  walked  off  with  basket  and  fowls,  leaving  Ruth  in 
complete  despair. 

Just  at  that  moment,  Arthur  issued  from  among  the 
reeds,  and  started  back,  overcome  with  amazement  and 
dismay,  at  the  sight  of  the  dark  crowd  which  thronged 
the  little  clearance.  He  was  immediately  surrounded, 
and  before  he  could  offer  any  effectual  resistance,  his 
gun  and  hat  were  taken  away,  as  well  as  a  bag  of 
pigeons  that  was  hung  over  his  arm. 

"  Baldabella,"  said  he,  "  ask  the  chief  of  the  tribe 
what  he  wants  from  us.  We  will  give  him  the  birds, 
and  some  knives  and  axes ;  but  his  people  must  then  go 
away,  and  leave  us  our  canoes  and  our  guns." 

Baldabella  reluctantly  came  forward,  and  bending  her 
head  down  as  she  approached  the  chief,  repeated  her 
message  in  a  submissive  tone,  and  the  savage  replied  in 
a  long  harangue  which  made  the  poor  woman  tremble, 
and  which  she  interpreted  to  her  friends,  greatly 
abridged,  saying  :  —  "  Black  fellow  say,  he  take  all :  he 
very  angry.  Good  white  friend  all  run  —  fast  —  go 
away!  Meny,  much  meny,  black  fellows  come  —  all 
very  hungry  —  eat  fish  —  eat  bird  —  eat  all  white 
friend.  Go  fast,  massa  ;  —  missee,  good  friend,  go 
away ! " 

This  was  decidedly   sound   advice  ;   but   under   the 
32 


374  SPOLIATION. 

present  circumstances  it  was  no  easy  task  for  the  large 
party  to  run  away.  Wilkins  and  Jack  had  joined  them, 
and  were  immediately  seized  by  the  savages,  disarmed, 
and  held  fast  by  their  captors.  The  attack  was  too  sud- 
den to  allow  them  any  opposition,  and  Jack  looked 
deeply  distressed,  while  Wilkins  was  absolutely  furious, 
till  a  few  words  from  Arthur  induced  them  to  submit 
with  quietness  to  have  their  game  and  their  hats  taken 
away  from  them. 

Then  the  robbers  paused,  evidently  lost  in  admiration 
of  the  complicated  dress  of  their  captives,  which  they 
seemed  desirous  to  possess,  but  were  puzzled  how  to 
separate  the  garments  from  the  wearer,  or  probably 
doubtful  whether  they  did  not  actually  form  a  part  of 
that  anomalous  creature,  a  white  man.  It  was  plain, 
however,  that  Baldabella  and  her  child  were  of  their 
own  race,  and  the  chief  went  up  to  her,  and  commanded 
her  to  follow  him,  and  become  one  of  his  jins.  The 
poor  woman,  in  terror  and  indignation,  refused  his  re- 
quest, and  turned  to,  flee  from  him  ;  the  savage  imme- 
diately seized  the  child,  and  the  alarmed  mother,  sup- 
ported by  Arthur  and  Hugh,  tried  in  vain  to  rescue  the 
screaming  girl,  till  the  man,  in  a  violent  rage,  sprung 
forward  to  the  river,  and  flung  the  child  into  the  water. 
But  in  a  moment  Hugh  leaped  in  after  it,  and  brought 
the  half-senseless  child  to  the  distracted  mother,  who  had 
plunged  in  after  him  herself. 

But  now  the  chief's  attention  was  diverted  from 
Baldabella  to  the  spoils  of  his  victims  ;  and  some  of  the 
men  were  sent  off  with  baskets,  portmanteaus,  knives, 
axes,  guns,  and  all  the  precious  possessions  of  the  un- 
fortunate travellers,  who  momentarily  expected  to  be 
murdered  as  well  as  pillaged. 


A   TASTE    OF    GUNPOWDER.  375 

When  the  canoes  had  been  completely  ransacked, 
four  of  the  men  carried  them  off,  while  the  rest  were 
collected  round  a  skin  bag  which  contained  their  valu- 
able ammunition.  One  of  the  natives  drew  out  a  canis- 
ter of  gunpowder,  forced  it  open,  and  filled  his  mouth 
with  the  powder.  With  ludicrous  grimaces,  he  spat  out 
the  nauseous  mixture,  and  raised  his  hand  to  fling  the 
rest  upon  the  fire.  Arthur  saw  the  motion,  and  calling 
on  his  friends  to  escape,  he  rushed  up,  hoping  to  arrest 
the  arm  of  the  ignorant  man  ;  but  he  was  too  late,  and 
though  he  retreated  the  moment  he  saw  the  canister  fly- 
ing through  the  air,  he  was  prostrated  senseless  by  the 
fearful  explosion  that  followed. 

The  very  earth  shook  beneath  their  feet,  and  such  of  the 
natives  as  were  not  actually  stunned  by  the  shock,  fled, 
with  cries  of  horror,  into  the  bush,  which  was  already  blaz- 
ing in  several  places  from  the  burning  fragments  of  the  fire 
cast  in  all  directions.  The  emancipated  prisoners  had 
all,  with  the  exception  of  Arthur,  reached  in  safety  the 
edge  of  the  river  ;  and  though  trembling  and  much 
shaken,  they  had  not  sustained  any  injury.  Arthur  was 
brought  to  them  perfectly  insensible  ;  but  in  a  few  min- 
utes, when  water  had  been  plentifully  poured  over  him, 
he  recovered,  and  except  a  nervous  tremor  that  lasted 
many  hours,  and  the  loss  of  his  hair,  which  was  com- 
pletely scorched  off,  no  serious  consequences  succeeded 
his  perilous  accident. 

But  though  temporarily  relieved  from  the  presence 
of  the  savages,  they  were  still  in  the  midst  of  great  dan- 
gers. The  dry  blazing  reeds  rendered  further  progress 
impossible  ;  and  they  gratefully  thanked  God  that  the 
little  spot  they  had  cleared  for  their  landing  now  af- 
forded them  a  secure  refuge. 


376  THE    BURNING    WILDERNESS. 

The  wind  carried  the  flames  rapidly  down  the  east 
bank  of  the  river  towards  the  south  ;  and  they  waited 
in  great  agitation  till  a  path  should  be  opened  for  them 
to  proceed.  Their  anxious  silence  was  interrupted  by 
the  sound  of  a  low  musical  wail,  so  expressive  of  sorrow 
that  it  pained  every  heart  ;  and  on  looking  round,  they 
saw  the  dirge  proceeded  from  Baldabella,  who  was 
bending  over  the  body  of  the  native  who  had  perished 
in  the  explosion  caused  by  his  own  ignorance,  and  now 
lay  a  blackened  corpse  on  the  spot  from  whence  he  had 
flung  the  canister. 

The  little  girl  was  kneeling  by  her  mother,  seeming 
to  be  conscious  of  the  solemnity  of  the  ceremony,  and 
raising  her  feeble  voice,  in  imitation  of  her  mother. 
Much  affected,  Mr.  Mayburn  drew  near  them,  and 
briefly  and  simply  explained  to  the  tender-hearted  wo- 
man the  uselessness  of  mourning  over  the  hapless  dead, 
and  the  lesson  his  sudden  fate  afforded  to  the  living  ; 
and  he  begged  her  to  join  him  in  the  prayer  that  they 
might  all  live  so  watchfully,  that  the  hour  of  death 
might  never  surprise  them  unprepared.  The  plain 
truths  of  Christianity  had  fallen  with  good  effect  on  the 
mind  of  the  grateful  and  gentle  woman,  and  Mr.  May- 
burn  hoped  earnestly  that  she  and  her  child  had  been, 
by  God's  mercy,  rescued  from  darkness. 

"  And  now,  let  us  turn  away  from  this  sad  spectacle, 
my  good  woman,"  continued  Mr.  Mayburn,  "and  en- 
deavor to  escape  from  this  burning  wilderness,  for  we 
all  have  work  to  do  in  the  world.  Arthur,  will  you, 
with  your  usual  prudence,  decide  which  way  we  shall 
turn  ?  The  flames  are  raging  before  us,  and  these  sav- 
age natives  may,  at  any  moment,  beset  us  from  behind. 
My  judgment  fails  to  point  out  any  escape;  but,  Ar- 


A    FLOAT.  377 

thur,  I  will  pray  for  God's  assistance,  that  you  may  be 
enabled  to  save  us  all." 

"  We  may  retrace  our  path  up  the  river — a  discour- 
aging journey  ! "  said  Arthur  ;  "  or  we  may  wait  till  the 
devourin0"  flames  have  cleared  a  road  for  us  ;  but  the 
delay  is  perilous.  Even  should  we  try  to  force  our  way 
east,  into  yon  barren  desert," destitute  as  we  now  are,  we 
should  only  obtain  a  change  of  evils ;  and  I  am  reluctant 
to  leave  the  friendly  river,  where  alone  we  can  hope  to 
obtain  food  and  water." 

Baldabella  pointed  across  the  broad  river,  and  said, 
"  Go  quick  there,  find  many  root,  many  nut,  no  black 
fellow.  Bad  black  fellow  come  back  soon,  paint  all 
white  ;  very  angry,  see  brother  dead  ;  kill  all  white 
man,  eat  Nakinna,  carry  away  Baldabella  !  God  never 
come  to  black  fellow." 

To  cross  the  river  did  certainly  seem  the  most  desira- 
ble plan  ;  but  how  to  effect  the  transit  was  a  perplexing 
question.  It  was  about  a  hundred  yards  across,  but,  as 
far  as  they  could  judge,  not  more  than  from  four  to  five 
feet  deep  at  any  part  ;  so  that  the  young  men  would 
have  no  difficulty  in  wading  across  ;  but  to  the  women, 
and  even  to  Mr.  Mayburn,  such  an  undertaking  would 
be  very  difficult,  if  not  impossible. 

Jack  looked  round  in  despair ;  there  were  no  trees, 
and  even  if  there  had  been  any,  he  had  no  axe.  They 
examined  carefully  the  field  of  plunder,  in  hopes  some 
tool  or  utensil  might  have  been  overlooked  by  the 
plunderers ;  but,  except  the  spear  of  the  fallen  native, 
and  the  fishing-spear  of  Baldabella,  nothing  had  been 
left  behind.  Wilkins  had  fortunately  preserved  a  long 
knife  which  he  wore  under  his  blouse ;  and,  from  the 
32* 


378  FORDING    THE    RIVER. 

mysterious  form  of  the  dresses,  the  pockets  had  escaped 
being  rifled. 

Jack  looked  joyfully  at  the  knife,  and  said,  "  We 
might  cut  some  of  these  thick  tall  reeds,  and  make  a 
float  for  them,  Mr.  Arthur.  I  have  a  few  loose  nails  in 
my  pocket,  and  here 's  a  stone  with  a  hole  through  it ; 
we  can  fix  a  reed  handle  to  it,  and  then  it  will  make 
shift  for  a  hammer.  We  could  easily  guide  them  over 
on  a  float  of  this  sort,  it 's  my  opinion." 

It  was  at  least  desirable  to  make  the  experiment ;  so 
without  delay  the  strong  bamboos  were  cut,  broken,  or 
torn  down  ;  a  range  of  them  placed  flat,  close  together 
on  the  ground,  connected  by  transverse  bars,  which 
were  fastened  somewhat  imperfectly  with  Jack's  pre- 
cious "  loose  nails."  A  quarter  of  an  hour  completed 
this  slight  frame ;  in  which  time  the  conflagration, 
which  had  run  to  some  distance  down  the  banks  of  (he 
river,  had  left  a  scorched  and  smoking  clearance,  dis- 
closing the  bodies  of  three  more  victims,  who  had  not 
been  able  to  escape  the  rapid  flames.  The  boys  found 
also  several  nests  of  half-roasted  water-fowls,  which 
they  snatched  away  at  some  risk  from  the  heated 
ground,  and  brought  forward  for  a  needful  repast. 

"  If  we  had  but  saved  the  ropes ! "  exclaimed  Jack. 
But  ropes  were  not  attainable,  nor  even  that  excellent 
substitute  for  them,  the  stringy  bark ;  and  the  raft  was 
launched  on  the  river,  to  be  drawn  or  urged  across  by 
the  strong  arms  of  the  men.  Margaret,  at  her  own 
request,  was  the  first  to  venture  on  the  frail  machine, 
guided  on  one  side  by  Jack,  and  on  the  other  by 
Wilkins,  who  waded,  and  in  some  places  swam,  and 
brought  their  charge  in  safety  to  the  opposite  bank, 


THE    BRONZE    PIGEONS.  379 

which  was  covered  with  reeds  like  that  which  they  had 
left. 

In  this  way  the  strong  men  successively  brought 
over  Mr.  May  burn  and  the  two  women.  Baldabella, 
with  her  child  on  her  shoulder  and  her  fishing-spear  in 
her  hand,  plunged  at  once  into  the  water,  followed  by 
Arthur,  who  insisted  on  her  holding  his  hand  through 
the  deepest  part.  Finally,  after  a  sorrowful  look  at 
the  scene  of  their  losses,  and  a  vain  search  for  any 
trifling  article  of  their  property,  the  two  boys  followed 
their  friends.  Then  the  disconsolate  travellers,  forcing 
their  way  through  the  reedy  thicket,  stood  to  gaze  with 
consternation  on  the  wild  barren  region  that  spread 
before  them. 

"  God  has  pleased  to  cast  us  feeble  and  destitute  into 
this  wide  wilderness,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn ;  "  of  ourselves, 
we  can  do  nothing,  but  He  is  mighty  to  save.  He  res- 
cued us  from  the  murdering  savage,  from  flood,  and 
from  fire,  and  He  will  not  suffer  us  to  perish  from  fam- 
ine, if  we  pray  and  trust.  Let  us  lift  up  our  hands  and 
voices  in  thanksgiving  and  submission." 

The  rough  convict,  the  ignorant  Baldabella,  and  the 
simple  child  joined  earnestly  in  the  devotions  of  their 
more  enlightened  friends ;  and  refreshed  and  hopeful, 
they  rose  from  their  knees,  "  to  walk  in  faith  the  dark- 
ling paths  of  earth." 

"  If  we  can  but  keep  near  the  river,"  said  Margaret, 
"  we  cannot  perish  for  want ;  and,  besides,  it  seems  to 
lead  us  in  the  very  path  we  wish  to  follow." 

"  Fish  is  better  nor  starving,"  said  Wilkins  ;  "  but  I 
reckon  we  'se  soon  tire  on 't,  if  we  come  on  nought  bet- 
ter. What 's  come  to  t'  lass  now  ? "  addressing  Ruth, 
who  was  weeping. 


380  FISH    DIET. 

"I've  gone  and  roven  a  hole  in  my  boot,"  sobbed 
she,  "  and  I  don't  know  how  ever  I  'se  to  git  it  mended." 

The  boys  laughed  at  the  small  distress  of  Ruth  ;  but, 
after  all,  it  was  no  laughing  matter  for  her.  To  walk 
over  the  brush-covered  plain,  or  among  the  dry  reeds, 
was  a  trying  exertion  even  for  the  well-shod,  and  Mar- 
garet was  dismayed  when  she  considered  how  this 
could  be  accomplished  when  their  boots  should  fail. 
"  Yet  why  dare  I  doubt  ? "  she  said.  "  See,  Ruth ; 
Baldabella,  and  even  little  Nakinna,  walk  as  well  as  we 
do,  and  they  are  barefooted.  We  must  not  shrink  from 
such  small  trials  as  this." 

Just  then  a  pair  of  the  splendid  bronze  pigeons,  so 
unequalled  in  beauty  by  any  of  their  race,  winged  their 
flight  from  the  water  above  the  heads  of  the  travellers ; 
and  though  they  no  longer  had  the  means  of  obtaining 
these  birds,  as  delicious  in  taste  as  they  are  lovely  in 
plumage,  they  were  satisfied  to  see  there  were  animals 
in  the  waste  around  them. 

"  These  thin  bamboos  would  make  capital  arrows," 
said  Hugh ;  "  and  I  have  no  doubt  we  can  bend  one  of 
these  tall  canes  for  a  bow,  if  we  had  but  the  means  of 
stringing  it." 

"  We  might,  at  all  events,  sharpen  some  of  the  canes 
for  spears,"  said  Arthur,  "  not  only  for  defence  in  need, 
but  to  be  useful  if  we  should  be  so  fortunate  as  to  en- 
counter a  kangaroo,  or  meet  with  the  burrows  of  the 
wombats." 

"  What  has  become  of  our  raft  ? "  asked  Margaret 
"  You  had  there  a  good  stock  of  bamboos  ready  cut." 

"With  all  my  nails  in  them,"  exclaimed  Jack. 
"What  a  fool  I  was  not  to  remember  that  in  time; 
now  it  will  be  far  enough  down  the  river." 


FISH    DIET.  381 

It  was  too  true :  the  raft  had  already  been  carried 
away  by  the  stream  out  of  their  sight ;  and  all  deeply 
regretted  their  negligence,  as  they  moved  slowly  through 
the  entangled  scrub,  frequently  compelled  to  walk  act- 
ually over  the  low  bushes.  On  the  opposite  shore  of 
the  river  they  could  still  discover  the  wild  flames  flying 
down  before  the  wind,  and  leaving  behind  a  black 
smoking  surface. 

When  wearied  with  the  excitement  and  toil  of  the 
day,  they  were  compelled  to  seek  rest  among  the  com- 
fortless reeds,  they  sat  down  and  looked  at  each  other 
for  some  time  rather  sorrowfully,  for  the  pressure  of 
hunger  had  fallen  on  all.  It  was  Baldabella  who  first 
relieved  their  distress  ;  with  untired  energy  she  went  to 
the  river  with  her  spear,  and  returned  very  soon  with  a 
large  river-cod,  and  an  apron  filled  with  the  fresh- 
water mussels,  now  truly  prized  for  their  useful  shells. 
A  fire  was  soon  made,  the  fish  was  spitted  on  a  sharp- 
ened reed,  and  while  it  was  roasting,  Hugh,  with  Wil- 
kins's  invaluable  knife,  cut  a  number  of  short  thin  reeds 
into  chopsticks,  as  he  called  them,  to  enable  them  to 
convey  the  roasted  fish  from  the  reeds  on  which  it  was 
dished  to  their  mouths.  Rude  as  the  contrivance  was, 
and  laughable  as  were  the  failures  made  in  using  their 
new  utensils,  they  managed  to  make  a  satisfactory 
supper,  and  were  content  to  sleep  among  the  reeds  in 
the  open  air,  though  the  nights  now  felt  exceedingly 
cold. 

For  several  days  they  continued  to  toil  on  along  the 
/eedy  banks  of  the  river,  over  the  same  cheerless  bush, 
and  subsisting  on  the  same  unvarying  fish  diet.  Then 
the  banks  became  rocky  and  precipitous,  and  the  river 
so  difficult  of  access  that  it  was  only  at  rare  openings 


382  BOWS    AND    ARROWS. 

they  were  able  to  obtain  water  or  fish.  But  soon  after 
the  landscape  was  enlivened  once  more  by  tall  trees. 
Their  path  was  over  the  grassy  plains,  which  were  even 
now,  in  the  winter  of  the  year,  gay  with  bright  flowers. 
More  than  once  they  remarked  with  thankfulness  the 
track  of  the  kangaroo,  and  the  chattering  of  birds  gave 
them  hopes  of  new  food,  and  they  anxiously  sought  the 
means  of  obtaining  them. 

With  what  joy  they  recognized  the  stringy -bark  tree, 
and  gathered  the  fibres  to  twist  into  bowstrings,  and 
with  what  triumph  did  Hugh,  the  first  who  finished  the 
rude  weapon,  draw  his  rough  string  and  bring  down 
pigeons  and  cockatoos  sufficient  for  an  ample  meal  even 
to  the  half-starved,  but  which  taxed  the  ingenuity  of 
the  women  to  cook  in  any  way.  They  were  finally 
made  into  what  Gerald  called  a  Meg  Merrilies  stew, 
which  was  cooked  in  a  very  large  mussel-shell,  and  even 
without  salt  or  vegetables  was  fully  enjoyed  by  the  dis- 
satisfied fish-eaters. 

Then  they  all  sat  down  earnestly  to  make  a  complete 
stock  of  bows  and  arrows;  even  Baldabella  worked 
hard  in  twisting  the  bark  for  strings,  and  when  they  set 
out  to  continue  their  journey,  they  felt  more  confidence, 
for  they  were  now  provided  with  the  means  of  obtaining 
food,  and  of  defending  themselves  against  hostile  attacks  ; 
and  in  another  day  they  again  met  with  wild  oats,  and,  to 
the  joy  of  the  women,  with  the  tea-bush.  The  fig-trees 
no  longer  bore  fruit,  but  they  were  still  covered  with 
their  usual  inhabitants,  flocks  of  brilliant  pigeons,  chat- 
tering cockatoos,  and  the  satin-bird,  distinguished  by  its 
glossy  plumage  and  dazzling  bright  eye.  Occasionally 
they  still  met  with  the  cucumber  melon,  a  pleasant 
refreshment  when  they  were  weary ;  and  now,  strong  in 


A    BRIEF    VISIT.  383 

hope,  they  went  on  their  way,  still  keeping  within  sight 
of  the  river. 

"  Every  hour  must  bring  us  nearer  to  some  of  the 
most  remote  settlements  of  enterprising  squatters,"  said 
Margaret,  as  they  rested  beneath  a  fig-tree  one  evening ; 
u  and  all  our  trials  would  be  forgotten  if  we  could  once 
more  feel  the  blessing  of  a  roof  over  our  heads  and  hear 
the  language  of  civilized  life." 

"  It  '11  be  a  gay  bit  yet  afore  we  come  on  'em,  Miss," 
said  Wilkins.  -  "  Folks  is  not  such  fools  as  to  squat  on 
bare  commons  ;  and  there 's  another  thing  ye  '11  find, 
—  we'se  meet  a  few  more  of  them  black  dogs  yet, 
specially  if  we  come  on  a  bit  of  good  land  ;  they  're  up 
to  that  as  well  as  we  are.  And  now,  as  things  look  a 
bit  better,  I'd  not  wonder  if  they're  nigh  at  hand." 

"  I  agree  with  you,  Wilkins,"  said  Arthur.  "  We  are 
now  certainly  in  danger  of  encountering  tribes  of  na- 
tives, especially  as  we  are  on  the  track  of  the  kangaroos, 
a  great  temptation  to  them." 

"  I  wish  we  could  see  one  of  the  mountebank  beasts," 
said  Gerald ;  "  would  n't  I  send  an  arrow  or  a  spear  into 
him.  Take  notice,  all  of  you,  I  intend  to  bag  the  first 
old  fellow  that  shows  his  long  nose." 

A  sudden  spring  from  a  thicket  behind  them  brought 
a  large  kangaroo  into  the  midst  of  the  circle,  and  before 
they  had  recovered  the  surprise  sufficiently  to  take  up 
bows  or  spears,  a  succession  of  rapid  bounds  had  carried 
the  animal  completely  beyond  their  reach. 

A  burst  of  laughter  from  his  friends  somewhat  dis- 
concerted O'Brien,  but  with  his  usual  good-humor  he 
said,  "  Very  well  ;  I  allow  you  to  laugh  to-night.  The 
fellow  took  an  unfair  advantage  of  me  ;  but  wait  till  to- 
morrow." 


CHAPTER   XXIX. 

A  Seasonable  Supply.  —  Visitors  in  the  Night.  —  Captivity.  —  An 
Old  Acquaintance.  —  The  Ranger's  Settlement.  —  An  Embassy  to 
Daisy  Grange. — Jack  in  a  New  Office.  —  The  Grateful  Native 
Woman.  —  Davy's  Compunction.  —  Bush-ranging  Life.' 

NEXT  morning,  when  the  broiled  fish  was  ready  for 
breakfast,  Gerald  and  Hugh  were  missing.  With  some 
uneasiness  the  rest  watched  and  waited  for  an  hour, 
when  a  shout  announced  the  approach  of  the  wanderers, 
and  Arthur  and  Jack  set  out  to  meet  them,  and  were 
glad  to  assist  them  in  dragging  in  a  kangaroo. 

u  It  is  the  same  impudent  fellow  that  defied  me  last 
night,"  said  Gerald.  "  I  tracked  his  curious  boundings 
to  a  wood  three  miles  from  here  ;  and  then  Hugh  and  I 
beat  the  bushes  and  shouted  till  we  drove  him  out  of 
cover  ;  but  he  cost  us  lots  of  arrows  and  spears  before 
we  could  dispatch  him  ;  and  a  weighty  drag  he  has 
been  for  us  this  winter  morning  of  June,  when  the  sun 
is  as  hot  as  it  is  in  our  summer  June  at  home.  Now, 
Wilkins,  help  to  skin  him  ;  we  mean  to  have  all  our 
boots  mended  with  his  hide." 

"  But,  Arthur,  we  must  tell  you,"  said  Hugh,  "  that 
when  we  were  in  the  wood  we  saw  a  smoke  at  a  consid- 
erable distance  to  the  south-west.  Do  you  think  it 
could  possibly  be  from  some  station  ?  Gerald  wished 
much  to  go  on  and  ascertain  whence  it  arose,  but  I  per- 
suaded him  to  wait  till  we  consulted  you  ;  besides,  I 

(  884  ) 


THE    QUESTION    OF    RIGHT.  385 

knew  you  would  be  all  uneasy  if  we  were  long  absent. 
Have  we  got  so  near  the  squatters,  Wilkins  ?  " 

"  Not  a  bit  of  chance  on  't,  Master  Hugh,"  replied  he. 
"  We  're  far  enough  from  t'  squatters  yet.  Depend 
on  't  it 's  just  another  lot  of  them  good-to-nought  black 
rogues.  They  '11  be  thick  enough  here  where  there 's 
aught  to  get,  I  'se  warrant  'eni." 

"  It  is  most  natural  and  just,  Wilkins,"  said  Mr.  May- 
burn,  "  that  the  true  proprietors  of  the  soil  should  par- 
ticipate in  its  fruits.  I  fear  it  is  we  who  are,  in  fact, 
the  rogues,  robbing  the  wretched  aborigines  of  their 
game,  and  grudging  them  even  a  settlement  in  their 
own  land." 

"  But  we  have  not  robbed  them,  papa,"  said  Hugh. 
"  Kangaroos  and  pigeons  abound  here  enough  for  all ; 
and  we  do  not  wish  to  hurt  the  poor  wretches  if  they 
would  not  annoy  us.  Here  is  Margaret  quite  ready 
to  open  a  school  for  them,  if  they  would  come  and  be 
taught." 

"  Margaret  has  done  more  good  than  any  of  ns,"  said 
Mr.  Mayburn  ;  "  she  has  labored  incessantly  to  instruct 
Baldabella  and  her  child,  and  to  open  to  them  the  way 
of  salvation.  It  is  thus  by  scattered  seeds  that  the 
great  work  of  diffusing  the  truth  is  to  be  accomplished  ; 
and  I  fear,  Hugh,  we  have  been  too  much  engrossed 
with  the  cares  of  this  life  to  think  seriously." 

"  Now,  boys,"  said  Arthur,  "  we  had  better  not  lin- 
ger ;  the  kangaroo  is  skinned,  and  the  meat  is  cut  up 
into  convenient  portions  for  carriage  ;  let  us  walk  on 
briskly  till  we  are  hungry  enough  to  enjoy  it." 

Onward  they  moved  over  the  extensive  grassy 
plains,  recognizing  with  pleasure  various  tall  trees  of 
the  varieties  of  Eucalyptus,  the  Grass-tree  with  its  long 
33 


386  PLANS    FOR    TO-MORROW. 

weeping  branches,  the  Pandanus  with  its  slender  palm- 
like  stem,  and  the  Fig-tree  with  its  spreading  roots. 
Beneath  one  of  these  trees  they  encamped  to  cook  kan- 
garoo steaks,  and  to  enjoy  once  more  what  Wilkins 
called  "  a  decent,  nat'ral  dinner."  There,  with  strips  of 
skin  for  thread  and  a  fish-bone  for  a  needle,  Wilkins  re- 
paired the  worn  and  tattered  boots,  while  Margaret  and 
Baldabella  made  netted  bags  of  the  stringy  bark,  and 
Jenny  and  Ruth  bruised  the  wild  oats  which  the  young 
men  had  cut  down  as  they  came  along. 

"  The  rest  of  the  skin  I  mean  to  make  into  a  bag," 
said  Jack  ;  "  for  we  must  carry  with  us  a  good  stock  of 
oats  ;  we  may,  probably,  again  come  to  some  spot 
where  they  are.  not  to  be  found." 

Mr.  Mayburn  looked  with  pleasure  on  the  busy 
hands  round  him  ;  .and  though  he  deeply  regretted  the 
irreparable  loss  of  his  books,  wasted  on  the  plundering 
savages,  his  composed  mind  soon  submitted  to  the  trial. 
His  retentive  memory  supplied  the  place  of  books,  and, 
from  the  rich  treasures  of  his  reading  he  delighted  to  re- 
peat to  his  attentive  listeners  pleasant  and  instructive 
lectures.  Cheered  and  invigorated  by  labor  and  amus- 
ing conversation,  the  united  party  forgot  all  their  cares, 
offered  up  their  devotions  with  calm  and  happy  hopes, 
and  slept  among  the  sheltering  roots  of  the  fig-tree  with- 
out fear. 

Some  unaccustomed  sounds  suddenly  roused  the 
sleepers,  and  they  looked  round  to  behold  through  the 
dim  light  of  breaking  day  the  grim  visages  of  a  numer- 
ous band  of  tall  savages,  with  rough  heads  and  beards, 
who  were  armed  with  spears,  and  who  looked  on  their 
surprised  captives  with  a  sort  of  scornful  indifference,  as 
they  beckoned  them  to  rise  and  follow  them.  Hugh 


OLD    ACQUAINTANCES.  387 

and  Gerald  sprung  up  to  seize  their  spears  and  bows, 
but  Arthur,  with  more  prudence,  ordered  them  to  for- 
bear making  any  hostile  demonstration.  "  We  are  in 
the  power  of  these  strangers,"  he  said  ;  "  our  only  hope 
must  be  in  conciliation  and  treaty.  I  will  try  to  make 
the  best  of  it." 

Then  turning  to  the  native  who  stood  nearest  to  him, 
he  endeavored,  in  the  few  words  he  had  learnt  from 
Baldabella,  to  make  him  understand  their  poverty  and 
inoffensive  disposition,  and  their  desire  to  be  permitted 
to  proceed  on  their  journey.  The  man  looked  round, 
as  if  to  call  on  another  to  reply,  and,  to  the  astonish- 
ment of  Arthur,  a  voice  from  the  crowd  answered  in 
English. 

"  We  are  open  to  a  fair  reg'lar  treatise,  young  man. 
Perdoose  yer  swag,  which  is  the  vulgar  country  word 
for  what  we  English  terminate  tin,  and  then  we  will  sign 
your  disfranchisement." 

The  voice  and  the  extraordinary  phraseology  were 
familiar  to  the  Mayburns,  and  Hugh  cried  out,  "  What, 
Bill,  is  that  you  ?  How  came  you  here  ?  Is  David 
Simple  with  you  ?  and  where  is  Mr  Deverell  ?  " 

The  man,  who  had  now  come  forward,  dressed  in  the 
remnants  of  his  formerly  seedy  foppery,  looked  annoyed 
at  the  recognition.  He  stared  impudently  at  Hugh, 
and  said,  "  You  have  mistaken  your  man,  young  mas- 
ter. I  have  no  convalescence  of  you." 

"  It  is  in  vain  for  you  to  affect  ignorance  of  us,  Bill," 
said  Arthur  ;  "  we  know  you  to  be  a  ticket-of-leave 
man,  engaged  as  a  servant  at  Melbourne  by  Mr.  Dev- 
erell. I  am  grieved  to  find  you  in  such  unsuitable 
company,  and  would  advise  you  to  join  us,  and  guide  us 


388  TAKING    TO    THE    BUSH. 

to  your  master's  station,  where  we  shall  be  able  to  re- 
ward you  liberally." 

"  Thank  you,  sir,"  said  the  man,  laughing  scornfully  ; 
«  but  Mr.  Deverell  and  I  did  not  part  good  friends,  and 
I  have  no  innovation  to  visit  him  again.  His  ways  is 
percoolar,  and  a  gentleman  as  has  had  a  deliberate  eddi- 
cation  looks  higher  nor  waiting  on  cattle  ;  so  Davy  and 
I  came  to  a  dissolution  to  abrogate  the  place,  and  set 
out  on  a  predestinarian  excrescence." 

"  He  means,  master,"  said  Davy,  with  a  downcast 
look,  interpreting  his  brother's  difficult  language  ;  "  he 
means  as  how  we  took  to  t'  bush.  I  was  bad  to  win 
round  to  't ;  but  Bill,  he  'd  collogued  with  a  lot  of  black 
fellows,  and  had  'em  all  in  a  wood  hard  again  our  boun- 
daries ;  and  they  thranged.  me  round,  and  threaped  as 
how  they'd  cut  my  throat  if  I  stayed  after  them  to 
peach ;  and,  graceless  dog  as  I  were,  I  joined  'em  to 
drive  our  best  stock,  when  we  knew  as  how  master  was 
off  for  a  week.  It  were  a  sore  day's  work,  and  little 
good  do  I  see  in  living  among  a  set  of  raggles  like 
them.  I  warn  ye,  master,  if  ye've  gotten  any  cash 
about  ye,  just  pay  't  down,  and  make  no  words  about  it, 
afore  they  get  aggravated,  for  they  're  a  bloody  set,  that 
are  they." 

"  But,  my  poor  mistaken  man,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn, 
"  what  in  the  world  can  these  savages  do  with  money  in 
this  houseless  wilderness  ?  " 

"  That 's  our  affair,"  answered  Bill.  "  So  open  your 
bank,  old  fellow,  and  leave  it  to  intelligible  fellows  like 
me  to  transact  your  gold  into  brandy." 

"  In  the  first  place,  Bill,"  replied  Arthur,  "  I  think  it 
is  my  duty  to  remind  you  of  the  fatal  consequences  of 


TAKEN    PRISONERS.  389 

highway  robbery,  and  to  beseech  you  to  return  to  your 
duty,  and  endeavor  to  retrieve  your  error.  In  the  next 
place,  you  cannot  possibly  benefit  by  your  extortion,  for 
we  are  literally  and  truly  without  money.  We  have 
letters  of  credit  on  Calcutta,  and  we  could  certainly 
obtain  money  at  Melbourne,  but  only  by  our  personal 
application  at  that  place.  We  have  been  already  strip- 
ped by  one  of  the  black  tribes,  of  every  article  of  prop- 
erty we  possessed,  and  we  are  now  wholly  destitute. 
This  is  the  exact  truth.  Now  I  suggest  to  you  that 
your  wisest  plan  >would  be  to  leave  us  to  pursue  our 
way  unmolested  ;  unless  you  or  your  misguided  brother 
will  accompany  us  to  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Deverell, 
with  whom,  I  think,  we  have  sufficient  influence  to 
induce  him  to  pardon  your  offence." 

"  Who  would  be  the  fools  then  ?  "  answered  the  man. 
"  No,  sir,  your  oratorio  makes  no  depression  on  me. 
If  you  have  n't  got  money,  you  're  worth  money.  You 
must  march  in  the  arrear  of  your  captivators  to  our 
quarters.  You  shall  then  write  a  letter,  which  I  shall 
dedicate  to  you.  I  never  travel  without  my  writing 
impediments  ;  and  one  of  my  'cute  black  fellows,  as  is 
conservant  in  English,  shall  be  dispersed  away  to  your 
friend  Mr.  Deverell,  who  must  confiscate  to  me  cash  or 
stuff  for  your  ransom  ;  and  when  I  see  my  brandy  and 
cigars,  you  are  disfranchised." 

It  was  useless  to  attempt  opposition  to  the  mandates 
of  the  imperious  and  conceited  bushranger,  and  the  dis- 
consolate captives  reluctantly  followed  the  man,  sur- 
rounded by  such  a  troop  of  natives  as  precluded  all 
hopes  of  escape,  and  exposed  to  the  insults  and  plunder 
of  these  savages,  who  wrested  from  them  their  spears 
and  bows.  Wilkins  had  contrived  to  secrete  his  knife 
33* 


390  THE    RAXGERS'    SETTLEMENT. 

under  his  vest,  and  thus  saved  it.  They  had  not  pro- 
ceeded far  before  they  were  joined  by  a  band  of  women, 
revolting  in  appearance  and  manner,  "who  crowded 
round  them,  rudely  examined  their  garments,  and  freely 
possessed  themselves  of  such  as  they  could  conveniently 
snatch  away.  Margaret  looked  round  for  Baldabella  to 
assist  her  in  remonstrating  with  these  harpies,  and  was 
surprised  to  see  that  she  had  disappeared. 

Margaret  then  remembered  that,  on  the  previous 
night,  the  woman  had  selected  a  thicket  considerably 
apart  from  the  rest,  as  a  sleeping-place  for  herself  and 
her  child,  and  she  concluded  that  at  the  first  alarm  of 
the  invaders,  the  poor  woman  had  escaped,  her  dread 
of  her  fellow-countrymen  overcoming  even  her  allegi- 
ance to  her  friends.  After  all,  Margaret  considered  it 
was  as  well ;  there  were  two  less  to  be  anxious  for,  and 
she  had  no  fears  for  the  native  on  her  own  soil :  she 
would  certainly  find  food,  and  would  probably  wait  and 
watch  for  the  release  of  the  captives. 

The  unpleasant  march  of  the  prisoners  extended  to 
nearly  three  miles;  then,  descending  a  low  hill,  they 
arrived  at  a  lovely  wooded  valley,  where,  on  the  banks 
of  a  little  creek,  or  streamlet,  stood  a  number  of  rough 
bark  huts.  A  herd  of  cattle  were  feeding  on  the  grassy 
plain,  and  some  horses,  hobbled,  to  prevent  them  stray- 
ing, were  mingled  with  them.  Naked  children  were 
rolling  on  the  grass,  shouting  and  laughing ;  women 
were  busy  bruising  nuts,  or  making  nets;  and  some 
aged  men  were  seated  in  the  sun  with  their  knees 
raised  to  their  heads,  looking  stupid  and  half  dead. 

It  was  the  first  scene  of  pastoral  life  that  the  travel- 
lers had  beheld  in  Australia,  and  would  have  had  a 
certain  charm  to  them  had  they  been  in  a  position  to 


AN    EMBASSY.  391 

enjoy  it.  But  the  thoughts  of  their  captivity  engrossed 
their  minds,  and  they  contemplated  with  uneasiness  the 
fierce  and  threatening  countenances  of  the  lawless  men 
who  surrounded  them,  and  who  drove  them  forward 
like  the  cattle  they  had  so  villanously  obtained,  and 
lodged  them  in  a  large  bark  hut  which  stood  at  the 
extremity  of  the  scattered  namlet.  This  rude  shelter 
was  wholly  open  in  front,  and  filthily  dirty  inside  ;  but 
they  were  thankful  for  any  shelter  that  divided  them 
from  the  coarse  and  abandoned  robbers  ;  and,  flinging 
themselves  on  the  ground,  the  disconsolate  captives 
reflected  silently  on  their  perilous  situation,  while  their 
captors,  assembled  before  the  rude  prison,  seemed  ear- 
nestly discussing,  as  Arthur  concluded,  the  means  of 
making  the  most  profit  of  their  destitute  prisoners. 

After  some  minutes  had  elapsed,  they  were  favored 
with  a  visit  from  the  audacious  and  ignorant  convict 
Bill,  who  addressed  them  with  his  usual  pompous  air, 
saying,  — 

"  Gentlemen,  we  have  dissented  on  dispersing  one  of 
your  gang  along  with  our  embarrasser  to  Deverell,  that 
he  may  be  incensed  into  the  right  of  the  thing.  We 
set  you  up  as  worth  a  hundred  pound,  hard  cash,  for  the 
lot ;  but  if  we  concentrate  to  take  stuff,  we  shall  exhort 
two  hundred.  Things  is  bad  to  sell  in  the  bush.  We 
expectorate  a  chap  in  a  day  or  two  as  is  intentionable 
to  buy  our  stock,  and  then  you  must  keep  close  quar- 
ters, for  when  my  colloquies  get  their  brandy  they  are 
always  a  bit  umbrageous." 

When  Mr.  Mayburn  comprehended  the  meaning  of 
this  elaborate  nonsense,  he  declared  positively  that  he 
would  not  allow  one  of  his  children  to  depart  on  such 
an  unjust  errand,  accompanied  by  an  abandoned  repro- 
bate. 


392  CHOOSING    A    REPRESENTATIVE. 

"I  should  like  nothing  better  than  to  start  off  on 
such  a  trip,"  said  Gerald.  "  What  a  surprise  it  would 
be  at  Daisy  Grange  when  they  saw  my  brown  face ; 
and  would  n't  pretty  Emma  say,  with  tears  in  her  eyes, 
'  Oh,  Gerald  !  what  has  become  of  Arthur  ? '  And 
grave  Edward  Deverell  would  fall  into  heaps  of  con- 
fusion, and  say,  '  Margaret !  why  is  not  Margaret  with 
you?'" 

Arthur  laughed,  but  shook  his  head,  and  refused  to 
abet  any  plan  of  subjecting  the  thoughtless  boy  to  such 
risk. 

"  But  might  not  Wilkins  go?"  asked  Hugh. 

"  Not  I,  thank  ye,  Master  Hugh,"  answered  the  man, 
hastily ;  u  we  'd  like  enough  fall  in  with  some  of  them 
hot-headed  black  pollis  when  we  got  nigh  to  t'  station, 
and  they  're  all  so  set  up  wi'  their  guns,  that  afore  I 
could  get  out  a  word  they  'd  sure  to  pick  me  out  for  a 
runaway,  and  shoot  me  dead ;  and,  more  nor  that,  I  '11 
not  say  if  I  were  let  loose  among  them  care-nought  ran- 
gers, as  I  might  n't  fall  into  their  ways,  and  take  to  t' 
bush  like  'em  ;  and  then,  ye  see,  all  yer  good  work 
would  be  flung  away." 

"  Wilkins  might  be  useful  to  you  here,  Master  Ar- 
thur," said  Jack ;  "  but  I  don't  see  why  I  should  n't  go. 
I  'm  no  ways  feared ;  and  I  could  put  Mr.  Deverell  up 
to  getting  hold  of  these  vagabonds  and  their  own  cattle  ; 
and  then,  you  know,  sir,  I  should  find  timber  and  tools 
enough,  and  I  could  soon  knock  up  a  bit  of  a  wagon  to 
bring  up  for  Miss  Margaret  and  the  master,  and  the 
other  poor  things.  What  think  you,  sir,  about  it  ?  " 

"  I  must  confess,  papa,"  said  Arthur,  "  that  I  feel  sat- 
isfied that  Jack  is  the  right  man.  But  can  we  make  up 
our  minds  to  part  with  our  tried  and  faithful  friend  ?  I 
leave  it  to  you  to  decide." 


JACK    IN    OFFICE.  393 

"  My  dear  son,"  answered  Mr.  Mayburn,  much  agi- 
tated, "  I  cannot  decide  such  an  important  question. 
Only  consider ;  should  his  savage  companion  prove 
treacherous,  our  dear  Jack  may  be  sacrificed,  and  his 
blood  fall  on  our  heads.  I  shrink  from  the  responsi- 
bility." 

"Nevertheless,  dear  papa,"  said  Margaret,  weeping 
bitterly,  "  I  fear  we  must  consent.  Jack  will  be  accom- 
panied by  only  one  man,  whose  policy  it  will  be  to  be 
careful  of  his  life  till  the  transaction  be  completed.  On 
his  return,  rely  on  it,  Edward  Deverell  will  take  care 
he  has  arms  and  protection.  Jack  is  sagacious,  brave, 
and  prudent.  I  grieve  to  part  with  him ;  but  I  believe 
it  may  be  for  the  benefit  of  all.  We  must  resign  him, 
and  pray  for  God's  blessing  on  our  brave  deliverer." 

"  And  I  say,  Jack,  my  man,"  said  Wilkins,  "  if  ye 
should  chance  to  light  on  a  bonnie  bit  lass,  called  Susan 
Raine,  down  yonder,  just  ye  say  as  how  Wilkins  is  not 
altogether  that  graceless  she  counts  him.  He 's  bad 
enough,  God  knows ;  but  he  oft  thinks  on  days  of  lang 
syne ;  and  he 's  true,  tell  her,  come  what  may." 

It  was  then  communicated  to  the  vile  dictator  of  the 
dark  band  that  a  messenger  was  ready  to  set  out  to  pro- 
cure the  ransom  from  Mr.  Deverell ;  and  the  next  day, 
amidst  the  loud  sobs  of  Ruth  and  the  silent  grief  of  the 
rest,  Jack  took  leave,  and  set  forward  towards  the  south, 
accompanied  by  a  tall,  crafty-looking  savage,  who  had 
evidently  been  accustomed  to  traffic  with  the  bush- 
rangers, and  had  acquired  sufficient  English  to  serve 
his  purpose.  One  of  their  ablest  defenders  was  thus 
severed  from  the  unfortunate  captives,  who  hourly  be^ 
came  more  alarmed  about  their  position.  Forbidden  to 
leave  the  hut,  they  were  merely  fed,  like  the  dogs,  with 


394  BALDABELLA'S  FIDELITY. 

the  dLguoling  remains  of  the  untempting  food  of  their 
savage  captors ;  and  but  for  the  secret  good  offices  of 
Davy,  they  must  have  perished  of  thirst.  He  brought 
them  every  night  a  bark  bucket  of  water  from  the 
creek,  which  saved  their  lives. 

But  Mr.  Mayburn  and  Margaret,  who  could  not 
touch  the  decomposed  fish  and  gnawed  bones  that  were 
thrown  to  them,  gradually  sunk  into  a  state  of  weak- 
ness that  distracted  their  helpless  friends.  Four  days 
elapsed  after  Jack's  departure,  and  Margaret  was  re- 
clining, weak  and  weary,  yet  unable  to  sleep,  against 
the  back  wall  of  the  hut,  when  about  midnight,  she 
was  startled  by  a  scratching  sound  outside  the  bark. 
Much  alarmed,  but  too  weak  to  move,  she  trembled, 
and  feebly  called  to  Jenny,  who  was  sleeping  near  her. 
But  just  at  that  moment  the  low,  sweet  voice  of 
Baldabella  greeted  her,  through  an  opening  made  in 
the  bark  near  the  ground. 

"  Missee,  good  dear  inissee  ! "  murmured  the  woman ; 
"  Baldabella  see  all,  look  in  all  gunyoes.  Baldabella 
come,  all  sleep  now  ;  bring  bread,  bring  fish  for  inissee 
and  good  master." 

Then  through  the  opening  Jenny  received  cakes  of 
pounded  oats,  such  as  she  herself  had  taught  Baldabella 
to  make,  broiled  fish,  and  a  bark  vessel  filled  with  hot 
tea,  a  plentiful  and  luxurious  repast.  When  she  had 
given  up  her  store,  the  grateful  woman  whispered, 
"  Baldabella  go  make  more  bread,  come  again  dark 
night,  Pray  God  bless  white  friends." 

The  prayer  of  Baldabella  was  gratefully  acknowl- 
edged and  responded  to  by  her  much  affected  friends, 
who  blessed  the  hour  they  were  so  happy  as  to  snatch 
the  poor  widow  from  the  death  which  hung  over  her 


DAVY'S  COMPUNCTION.  395 

body  and  soul,  and  to  win  her  affections  and  sympathy. 
Invigorated  by  the  wholesome  and  clean  food,  Mr. 
Mayburn  and  Margaret  again  began  to  hope  for  better 
days,  and  to  plan  their  pleasant  journey  south. 

For  three  nights  Baldabella  returned  with  her  abun- 
dant and  seasonable  gifts  ;  Awhile  the  sordid  wretch  who 
detained  them,  plainly  cared  only  for  the  ransom  he 
hoped  to  obtain  for  them.  But  Davy  continued  to  steal 
in  every  night  with  the  welcome  supply  of  fresh  water, 
and  remained  to  listen  to  their  prayers  and  hymns,  with 
a  softened  and  mournful  countenance. 

"  Ye  see,  sir,"  said  the  poor  fellow  to  Arthur,  "  our 
Bill,  he  's  up  to  all  sorts  of  things  ;  he 's  had  a  grand 
eddication,  and  knows  reet  fra'  wrong  better  nor  me ; 
and  he  orders  me,  like,  and  I  cannot  say  him  nay ;  he 
reckons  I  'se  but  a  simple  chap." 

"  Did  you  ever  learn  your  Catechism,  Davy  ?  "  asked 
Margaret. 

"  They  did  get  that  into  me,  Miss,"  answered  he, 
"  and  little  good  it 's  done  me.  I  niver  like  to  think 
on  't  nowadays  ;  it 's  just  awsome,  it  is." 

"  Thou  shalt  not  steal  ! "  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  em- 
phatically. 

"  Please,  master,  not  to  talk  on't,"  said  the  agitated 
young  man  ;  "  it's  about  them  beasts  as  ye 're  meaning 
on.  But  our  Bill  says,  says  he,  *  It  stands  to  reason  as 
them  as  has  ower  mony  ought  to  sarve  them  as  has 
none.'  Now  what  think  ye  of  that,  sir  ?  " 

"  I  think  and  know,  David,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn, 
"that  it  is  God's  will  that  all  men  should  obey  His 
commandments,  and  do  their  duty  in  the  station  where 
He  has  placed  them.  You  had  no  more  right  to  take 
Mr.  Deverell's  cattle  than  these  poor  savages  have  to 


396  THE  THIEF'S  CONFESSION. 

strip  you  naked  and  leave  you  to  die  alone  in  the 
desert,  and  in  the  eyes  of  God  you  are  more  guilty 
than  they  would  be,  for  you  have  been  taught  Hi*  law. 
You  know  that  God  has  said  that  the  thief  shall  not 
enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  Now,  David,  death  is 
near  to  us  all,  young  or  old  :  think  what  will  be  your 
dreadful  fate  when  you  wake  in  another  world,  forsaken 
by  God.  Then  turn  to  Him  now,  while  there  is  yet 
time,  and  pray  for  repentance  and  pardon  through  the 
blessed  Saviour,  that  your  sins  may  be  forgiven,  and 
you  may  be  brought  to  dwell  with  him  forever." 

"  Well,  master,  I  can  tell  ye  if 't  were  to  do  again," 
answered  the  man,  "  Bill  s'ould  niver  talk  me  ower 
to  put  my  hands  to  t'  job.  And,  after  all,  a  poor  set 
we  've  made  on 't.  Ye  see,  this  is  how  we  did  it ;  we 
darked  and  kept  quiet  till  t'  master  was  off  down  t' 
country,  then  we  marked  off'  our  beasts,  and  picked  out 
our  saddle-horses,  and  a  gun  a-piece.  I  ought  to  have 
had  warning  plenty  about  me'ling  wi'  a  gun.  Then 
off  we  set  at  midnight,  driving  our  beasts  and  a  flock 
of  sheep,  and  were  soon  up  till  them  black  fellows  as 
was  watin'  us.  First  we  druv'  our  sheep  till  a  bush 
public,  where  a  sly  auld  hand  took  'em,  and  gave  us  a 
lot  of  bad  brandy  and  worse  tobacco  for  'em,  and  sin* 
that  we've  run  and  rode  about  t'  country,  up  and 
down,  hereaway  and  thereaway,  like  wild  beasts.  Then 
we  're  feared  of  t'  pollis,  and  we  're  feared  of  all  ther' 
black  fellows,  as  can  turn  rusty  when  they  like,  and 
it 's  nought  but  drinking,  cursing,  and  fighting  all  day 
long,  brutes  as  we  are.  I  'se  fairly  tired,  master,  and 
J  'd  fain  be  back  among  Christians ;  but  then,  I  'd 
niver  be  t'  fellow  to  peach  ;  and,  ower  that,  I  know 
there's  a  rope  round  my  neck,  as  is  sartain  to  be 
tightened  if  I  show  my  face  at  our  station  again." 


CHAPTER    XXX. 

A  Proposal  of  Marriage.  —  Bill's  Rejection  and  Revenge.  — 
Pocket-picking.  —  Jack's  Return.  —  Black  Peter  again.  —  Bush 
ranging  Merriment. —  A  Flight  in  the  Dark. —  An  Emu-chase. 
—  The  disappointed  Hunters.  —  Pursuit.  —  A  Stratagem. 

SIMPLE  DAVY,  the  whole  family  believed,  would  not 
prove  irreclaimable,  and  they  used  every  persuasion  to 
bring  the  poor  man  to  a  knowledge  of  his  faults,  and 
to  a  desire  to  reform  them ;  but  his  blind  submission  to 
his  "  eddicated "  brother  proved  a  formidable  obstacle, 
till  his  heart  became  enlightened  by  the  truths  of  relig- 
ion. The  cunning  villain  Bill  was  a  great  annoyance 
to  the  family:  he  continually  visited  them,  and  his 
absurd  speeches  no  longer  afforded  them  amusement, 
for  he  had  now  signified  his  intention  of  becoming  a 
candidate  for  the  hand  of  Margaret. 

"  Not  that  Miss  would  aggress,"  said  the  convict,  "  to 
live  with  these  low  ignis  fatuus  men,  that  we  eddicated 
men  terminate  flea-beings,  seeing  she  is  not  customary 
to  their  ways.  But  you  see,  Miss,  I  preponderate  set- 
ting up  a  bush  tavern,  quite  illimitable  to  the  beat  of 
the  imperious  pollis ;  quite  a  genteel  bottle,  where  you 
might  prorogue  like  a  lady,  and  I  'd  not  reject  to  adapt 
these  lads,  and  give  them  a  job  at  waiting ;  and  we 
might  revive  an  opening  for  the  old  governor,  if  you 
mattered  having  him." 

Hugh  and  Gerald  would  have  seized  the  impudent 
rascal  and  flung  him  out  of  the  hut,  but  Arthur  re- 
strained them,  and  arresting  his  father's  indignant  re* 

34  (  397  ) 


398  BILL    DISAPPOINTED. 

monstrance,  he  said,  "  Bill,  my  sister  must  never  again 
hear  such  absurd  and  offensive  language ;  she  is  too 
young  even  to  think  of  such  things,  and  quite  unfitted 
by  education  and  religion  for  mingling  with  lawless 
bushrangers." 

"  We  '11  see  about  that,  young  fellow,"  answered  Bill 
with  a  diabolical  grin.  "You  might  have  permeated 
the  young  woman  to  speak  for  herself;  she  '&  old  enough 
to  be  deciduous.  But  wait  a  bit  till  I  touch  your  ran- 
som, and  then  we'll  considerate  about  her.  She  was 
not  secluded  in  my  bargain,  and  you  '11  find  as  how  I  'm 
empirical  here." 

The  terror  and  distress  of  Margaret  were  very  great, 
and  but  for  the  absence  of  Jack,  who  was  always  ingen- 
ious in  affairs  of  difficulty,  Arthur  would  have  yielded 
to  her  wish,  and  attempted  their  escape,  which  by  the 
aid  of  Baldabella  in  the  out-works,  and  of  David,  who 
was  much  ashamed  of  his  brother's  audacious  proposal, 
in  the  citadel,  they  did  not  think  would  be  extremely 
difficult.  The  bark  hut  which  was  their  prison,  was 
situated  at  the  extremity  of  the  range  of  huts,  and  close 
to  a  thick  wood,  from  which  Baldabella  made  her  nightly 
visits  without  disturbance.  David  had  supplied  the 
young  men  with  some  sheets  of  bark  to  partition  off  the 
back  part  of  the  hut  for  Margaret  and  her  servants,  and 
from  this  apartment  it  would  be  easy  to  cut  open  the 
bark,  and  escape  into  the  wood,  the  savages  usually 
sleeping  on  the  ground  before  the  hut. 

Still,  unless  they  were  driven  to  extremities,  they  de- 
sired to  defer  their  flight  till  the  return  of  Jack,  as, 
besides  the  hope  that  he  might  bring  them  efficient  aid 
from  Mr.  Deverell,  they  did  not  wish  to  abandon  him  to 
the  wrath  of  the  disappointed  rangers;  but  they  ex- 


POCKET-PICKING.  399 

plained  their  intention  to  Baldabella,  and  begged  her  to 
be  prepared ;  and  they  hoped  that  they  were  prevailing 
on  David  to  become  their  companion  and  guide. 

Several  days  passed  in  the  same  dreary  and  distress- 
ing seclusion.  If  any  of  the  prisoners  ventured  to 
breathe  the  air  outside  the  hut,  they  were  assailed  with 
rude  language,  pelted  and  insulted  by  the  rangers  or  the 
blacks.  Jenny  and  Ruth  had  gone  out  to  cut  some  grass 
to  spread  over  the  ground  on  which  they  slept,  and  were 
seized  by  the  women,  their  clothes  torn,  their  hair  pulled, 
and  the  contents  of  their  pockets  discovered  and  torn 
from  them. 

"  Ragged  I  am,  and  ragged  I  may  be,  now,"  said 
Jenny.  "  I  wonder  what  good  my  bit  housewife  will  do 
them  ondecent  hussies ;  and  neither  thread,  needle,  nor 
scissors  have  I  left.  And  Miss  Marget,  my  honey,  there 
was  my  silver  thimble  that  you  bought  me  in  London, 
and  my  prayer-book  from  Master  Arthur,  —  God  bless 
him! — and  my  spectacles  that  master  gave  me;  but 
that 's  little  matter,  I  don't  need  them  when  I  've  nothing 
left  to  read  or  sew." 

Ruth  sobbed  out  incoherently,  "  My  bonnie  purse ; 
oh  dear !  oh  dear !  and  my  two  shillings,  and  my  lucky 
crook't  sixpence,  and  my  Sunday  ribbons  and  cotton 
gloves,  and  my  bonnie  little  Testament !  Oh  dear ! 
where 's  I  to  get  mair  ?  " 

Mr.  Mayburn  consoled  the  women,  and  showed  them 
his  pocket  Bible,  which  he  had  still  preserved,  and  from 
which  he  could  daily  read  to  them  the  words  of  comfort 
and  hope;  and  Margaret  encouraged  Jenny  with  the 
prospect  of  one  day  reaching  Daisy  Grange,  when  she 
felt  assured  that  the  orderly  and  prudent  Mrs.  Deverell 
would  have  needles  and  thread  to  bestow  on  them. 


400  THE    RETURN    OF   JACK. 

One  evening  some  very  unusual  sounds  tempted  Ger- 
ald who  was  always  restless  in  his  confinement,  to  steal 
out  of  the  hut.  He  was  absent  some  time,  and  Arthur 
had  become  very  uneasy  lest  he  should  have  been  ar- 
rested and  punished  for  this  disobedience  of  orders, 
when,  with  a  face  full  of  news,  he  rushed  back  into  the 
hut,  exclaiming,  "  Jack  is  brought  back !  there  are  three 
or  four  more  of  those  ugly  convicts ;  and,  oh,  Arthur, 
there  is  Black  Peter  amongst  them  ! " 

This  was  really  melancholy  news,  and  Mr.  Mayburn 
in  deep  distress  looked  appealingly  to  Arthur. 

"  Margaret  must  be  taken  away,"  he  said ;  "  I  can- 
not have  her  remain  among  these  reprobates.  Then 
there  is  Wilkins,  poor  fellow  !  That  wicked  wretch 
has  ever  persecuted  and  hated  him ;  he  is  not  safe  with 
us;  we  must  care  for  him,  and  send  him  away.  But 
ought  we  not  all  to  depart  ?  I  feel  that  I  am  unable  to 
judge  the  matter  calmly  ;  decide  for  us,  my  son." 

"  I  shall  be  better  able  to  do  that,  papa,"  answered 
Arthur,  "  when  I  learn  what  extraordinary  circum- 
stance has  induced  Jack  to  return.  It  is  quite  impos- 
sible that  he  can  have  executed  his  mission  ;  and  I  can- 
not imagine  that  these  robbers  have  relinquished  their 
desire  for  the  ransom-money.  I  am  very  anxious  to 
see  him." 

The  sounds  of  riot  and  discord  were  now  heard 
through  the  hamlet ;  the  prisoners  concluded  that  more 
brandy  had  been  brought  in,  and  it  was  producing  its 
usual  delusive  and  fatal  effects  among  men  and  women. 
The  intoxication  proceeded  to  madness ;  horrid  oaths 
and  blasphemy  were  the  only  words  to  be  distinguished ; 
first  uttered  by  the  white  man,  erroneously  named  a 
Christian,  and  then  eagerly  imitated  by  his  heathen 


THE    EFFECTS    OF    THE    BRANDY.  401 

brother.  In  the  midst  of  the  confusion,  Jack  stole  in 
unnoticed  by  the  savages  to  his  anxious  friends.  He 
was  pale  with  fatigue,  disappointment,  and  alarm ;  for 
he  saw  that  the  frenzy  of  the  intoxicated  wretches 
might  at  any  moment  lead  them  to  murder. 

"  Mr.  Arthur,"  said  he,  hurriedly,  "  I  have  got  hold 
of  a  gun  and  a  few  charges,  and  David  will  follow  me 
here  with  another,  as  soon  as  the  fellows  drink  them- 
selves into  stupor ;  then  we  must  make  off  without  de- 
lay, or  we  are  lost.  Black  Peter  has  determined  to 
have  his  own  way,  and  you  know  what  his  way  is ; 
and  depend  on  it,  if  he  had  not  been  led  off  with  the 
brandy,  he  would  have  been  here  to  bully  and  threaten 
before  now." 

"  Alas  !  alas !  "  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  "  how  did  it  hap- 
pen, my  good  lad,  that  you  fell  into  the  hands  of  that 
abandoned  man  ?  " 

"  We  met  him  on  our  way,  sir,"  answered  Jack, 
u  mounted  on  a  handsome  horse  that  he  'd  stolen  from 
somebody's  station  ;  he  was  dressed  like  a  gentleman, 
and  three  more  fellows,  all  bushrangers,  I  '11  be  bound, 
were  along  with  him,  well  mounted  too.  They  were 
carrying  kegs  of  liquor  and  bales  of  tobacco  to  barter 
for  the  stolen  cattle,  which  they  mean  to  drive  down  the 
country  to  sell.  Peter  knew  me  as  soon  as  he  set  eyes 
on  me,  a«d  hailed  me  to  know  what  had  become  of  my 
comrades.  Then  the  sulky  black  fellow  that  rode  with 
me  took  on  him  to  tell,  in  his  lingo,  what  we  were  after. 
It  would  have  made  your  blood  run  cold,  master,  to 
hear  how  that  brute  Peter  cursed  Bill ;  he  said  he  was 
nought  but  a  poor,  pitiful,  long-tongued  fool,  to  swap 
such  a  prize  for  a  hundred  pounds  ;  and  he  swore  he 
would  have  ten  times  as  much  for  the  bargain,  and 
34* 


402  PETER    OPPOSED    TO    BILL. 

have  it  for  himself  too.  '  I  Ve  got  shot  of  my  cow- 
ardly troop,  ye  see/  he  said  to  my  guide  ;  *  they  did  n't 
suit  me ;  they  ran  away  at  the  sight  of  blood.  I  '11 
see  now  if  I  can't  put  that  set-up  fellow,  Bill,  down 
a  peg,  and  manage  your  folks  a  bit  better,,  blackey.' 
Then  he  went  back  to  his  white  colleagues,  and  said, 
*  You  might  make  a  penny  of  these  two  runaways  ; 
there  's  money  on  their  heads ;  what  say  ye  to  carrying 
them  off?  * 

"  I  cannot  tell  how  they  settled  their  treacherous  plan  ; 
but  as  they  had  arms,  they  forced  us  to  turn  back  with 
them ;  and  Bill  looked  so  cowed  when  he  saw  Black 
Peter,  that  I  make  no  doubt  the  craftier  rogue  of  the 
two  will  be  master  by  to-morrow ;  and  there  will  be  a 
poor  chance  for  us,  if  we  do  not  overreach  him  to-night. 
Well,  Davy,  how  are  they  getting  on  ?  "  he  added,  as 
the  simple  fellow  entered  cautiously. 

"  They  '11  not  be  lang  fit  for  wark,"  answered  he. 
"  Some 's  down  now,  and  Bill  and  Peter  had  come  to 
fighting;  but  them  new  chaps,  as  corned  with  you, 
parted  'em ;  and  I  seed  'em  wink  at  Peter,  and  they 
said  as  how  it  could  be  settled  tomorrow.  But  it 
would  hardly  be  safe  to  stop  for  that ;  and  if  ye  're 
ready  and  willing,  1  'se  get  ye  off  cannily  afther  it 's 
dark." 

"We  are  willing  and  ready,  David,"  said  Arthur, 
u  and  most  thankful  to  have  you  for  our  guide.  I  will 
engage  that  Mr.  Deverell  will  pardon  and  protect  you, 
if  we  are  fortunate  enough  to  reach  Daisy  Grange ;  but 
how  my  father  and  sister  are  to  accomplish  the  journey, 
I  cannot  think.'* 

"  It 's  all  pat,  sir ;  see  to  me  for  that,'*  answered  David. 
"  Not  a  chap  amang  'em  was  fit  to  hobble  t'  horses  but 


ESCAPE    FROM   THE    HUT.  403 

me,  I  had  it  all  my  own  way,  and  I  brought  our 
two,  and  their  four,  all  round  to  t'  back  of  this  here 
wood,  and  tied  'm  up  ready  saddled.  Afore  midnight, 
light  on  me  to  be  there,  and  all  fettled  and  ready.  I  'se 
get  Baldabella  to  warn  ye  at  t'  reet  minute,  and  then  ye 
can  make  yer  way  out  backwards,  and  she  '11  bring  ye 
through  t'  wood,  and  we  'se  get  a  good  start  afore  day- 
leet.  They  've  no  more  horses  fit  for  t'  saddle,  if  they 
were  fit  themselves  ;  but  it  will  be  a  fair  bit  afore  they 
sleep  off  their  drunken  fit." 

The  yells  and  screams  of  the  mad  drunkards  grew 
louder  and  more  discordant,  and  the  trembling  women 
clung  fearfully  to  each  other  in  the  back  apartment  of 
the  hut,  where  they  had  already  cut  an  opening  large 
enough  to  allow  them  to  escape  ;  but  they  were  anxious 
to  defer  the  attempt  till  Davy  thought  the  moment 
favorable.  At  length  they  heard  the  oaths  and  curses 
muttered  in  fainter  tones ;  and,  one  after  another,  the 
voices  died  away.  Gladly  the  anxious  captives  marked 
the  deep  silence  that  succeeded,  which  was  finally 
broken  by  David  whispering  through  the  opening  be- 
hind the  hut,  — 

"  Come  along  ;  be  sharp,  and  tread  soft.  There 's  a 
lot  of  chaps  lying  afore  t'  hut :  ye  cannot  come  out  that 
way.  Mind  ye  dinnot  waken  'em.  Here 's  Baldabella ; 
she  '11  trail  ye  through  t'  bush,  and  I  '11  on  afore,  and 
make  ready." 

Trembling  and  breathless,  one  after  another  they  fol- 
lowed Baldabella,  forcing  their  way  through  the  thick 
underwood,  scarcely  conscious  of  bruises,  scratches,  and 
rent  garments,  till,  by  the  faint  light,  of  the  moon  through 
a  gathering  mist,  they  saw  David  holding  the  harnessed 
horses  outside  the  tangled  wood. 


404  DISTRESS    FOR    WATER. 

"  Manage  as  ye  like,"  said  he ;  "  there  's  twelve  on 
us,  reckoning  t'  babby,  but  some  on  ye  is  leet  weights." 

Baldabella  refused  to  mount,  and,  giving  her  child  to 
Wilkins,  she  walked  on ;  and  so  light  and  swift  was  her 
pace,  that  she  kept  up  well  with  the  doubly-laden  horses, 
though  they  proceeded  as  speedily  as  they  could  over 
the  grassy  plains.  For  six  hours  they  continued  to 
travel  due  south,  silently  and  uninterruptedly ;  then  the 
morning  light  cheered  their  spirits,  they  realized  the 
fact  of  their  freedom,  and  they  rejoiced  as  they  rested 
on  a  rich  plain  while  the  horses  fed,  and  lifted  up 
their  voices  in  praise  and  thanksgiving  that  they  were 
once  more  free  in  a  savage  land  ;  and  even  poor  David, 
with  tears  of  penitence,  united  humbly  with  them  in 
prayer. 

All  the  party  needed  the  refreshment  they  knew  not 
where  to  seek,  when  Baldabella  produced  a  netted  bag 
of  cakes  and  nuts,  with  which  they  were  obliged  to  con- 
tent themselves  ;  and  hoping  that  they  might  meet  with 
water  before  they  were  again  compelled  to  rest,  they  set 
forward  with  gratitude  and  cheerfulness.  But  they 
were  somewhat  disheartened  as  they  proceeded ;  for 
though  herbage  and  trees  were  plentiful,  water  was 
rarely  to  be  met  with.  Hollows  in  the  earth,  which 
contained  a  muddy  remnant  of  the  well-filled  pools  of 
the  rainy  season,  were  their  sole  dependence  —  a 
scanty  and  unpleasant  supply.  They  had  long  ago  lost 
sight  of  the  river,  from  which  they  had  designedly  di- 
verged in  order  to  mislead  their  pursuers,  leaving  it  on 
their  left  hand.  Fig-trees  were  common  on  the  plains, 
but  no  longer  bearing  fruit ;  still,  they  continued  to  be 
frequented  by  the  cockatoos  and  pigeons,  and  having 
made  bows  and  arrows,  they  procured  as  many  as  they 
wished  for  food. 


THE    EMUS.  405 

On  the  fourth  clay,  Baldabella,  who  was  before  them, 
summoned  them  by  the  welcome  cry,  "  Yarrai  !  yar- 
rai !  —  water !  water !  "  and  they  saw  a  narrow  full 
streamlet,  rushing  to  the  south-east,  probably  to  swell 
some  large  river ;  a  consideration  very  tempting  to  the 
travellers,  who  could  not  venture  on  the  direct  track 
which  David  was  acquainted  with,  lest  they  should  be 
overtaken.  They  resolved,  therefore,  to  continue  by 
the  water,  so  necessary  to  preserve  their  own  strength 
and  that  of  their  horses  ;  and  though  the  approach  to- 
wards a  large  river  might  place  them  amongst  the 
black  tribes  again,  they  would  still  be  on  the  highway 
which  led  to  civilization. 

They  now  selected  their  resting-places  close  by  the 
refreshing  stream,  and  without  adventure,  till  it  hap- 
pened that  one  day  they  had  indulged  for  some  hours 
in  a  noonday  repose  under  the  shelter  of  some  trees. 
Then  the  young  men  set  out  to  beat  the  wood  for  birds; 
but  Gerald  soon  cried  out,  "  To  horse !  to  horse !  bold 
hunters.  Emus  are  in  view  !  "  and,  on  skirting  the 
wood,  the  whole  family  had  a  view  of  a  flock  of  those 
huge  birds,  at  some  distance  on  the  plain,  grazing  with 
all  the  tranquillity  of  domestic  cattle. 

"  y?e  are  not  in  want  of  emus,  Gerald,"  said  Mr. 
Mayburn.  "  These  creatures  are  as  free  to  live  as  we 
are  ourselves.  Why  will  men  become  hunters  from 
mere  wantonness  ?" 

"  We  could  do  cannily  with  one,  master,"  said  Jenny. 
"  They  're  fair  good  eating,  and  ye  see,  sir,  great  strong 
men  gets  tired  of  these  bits  of  birds." 

Mr.  Mayburn  sighed  at  the  necessity  of  disturbing 
the  peace  of  the  happy  creatures,  and  duly  impressed 
on  Arthur  his  wish  that  only  one  bird  should  be  killed. 


4U6  THE    UNSUCCESSFUL    CHASE. 

All  the  young  men,  roused  at  the  thoughts  of  the  chase, 
sprang  upon  their  horses,  and,  armed  with  spears  and 
bows,  galloped  off  to  the  field.  Crafty  and  swift  as 
these  birds  are,  they  were  not  entirely  able  to  elude  their 
mounted  enemies,  who  attacked  them  with  spears  and 
arrows,  and  at  last  succeeded  in  separating  from  the 
rest  and  surrounding  one  large  bird,  in  which  several 
arrows  had  been  previously  lodged.  Infuriated  with 
pain  and  fright,  the  bird  ran  frantically  round  the  circle, 
in  fruitless  endeavors  to  escape  between  the  horses ;  and 
Gerald,  piercing  it  with  his  long  spear  to  oppose  its  re- 
treat, it  turned  suddenly  round,  and,  striking  out  back- 
wards with  its  powerful  leg,  inflicted  such  a  blow  on  the 
horse  he  was  riding,  that  it  staggered  and  fell. 

Alarmed  at  the  accident,  the  hunters  all  rode  up  to 
assist  Gerald;  and  the  wounded  emu  profited  by  the 
opportunity,  and  effected  a  retreat  to  its  companions,  to 
the  great  vexation  of  the  sanguine  young  men.  They 
soon  raised  the  horse  and  his  rider.  Gerald  had  escaped 
unhurt ;  but  the  horse  was  so  bruised  by  the  kick  of  the 
powerful  creature,  that  Arthur  saw  with  consternation 
that  their  journey  must  be  delayed  some  time,  till  it  re- 
covered from  the  blow  ;  if,  indeed,  it  was  not  rendered 
entirely  incapable  of  further  service. 

Mortified  and  dejected,  the  discomfited  hunters  re- 
turned to  the  encampment,  where  they  were  received  by 
Mr.  Mayburn  with  a  lesson  on  humanity  to  animals,  by 
Margaret  with  friendly  raillery,  and  by  Jenny  with  ill- 
repressed  murmurs ;  but  all  were  grieved  at  the  suffer- 
ings of  the  poor  horse. 

"  That  beast  must  just  lie  where  he  is  for  one  day, 
however,"  said  Wilkins ;  "  and  I  question  whether 
that  '11  sarve  to  mend  a  bad  job.  I  say,  some  of  ye 


THE    PURSUERS.  407 

slips  of  lads,  run  up  them  trees,  and  take  a  look  round, 
to  see  if  t'  coast 's  clear." 

It  was  at  once  employment  and  amusement  for  the 
active  boys,  Hugh  and  Gerald,  to  climb  two  tall  fig- 
trees  that  grew  in  front  of  the  wood,  and  scan  the  wide 
scene  around. 

"  Now,  sentinels,"  cried  Margaret  from  below,  "  please 
to  report  what  you  have  observed." 

"  I  can  see  our  little  rivulet,"  said  Hugh,  "  winding 
like  a  silver  thread  over  the  plains  to  the  south-east, 
even  to  the  very  horizon,  where  a  gray  line  terminates 
the  view.  That  may  be  the  hem  of  the  large  river 
Arthur  has  planned." 

"I  say,  Arthur,  come  up,"  cried  Gerald;  "I  want 
you  to  look  at  a  dark  mass  far  away  north.  I  could 
almost  fancy  I  saw  it  moving." 

Arthur  was  soon  by  his  side,  and,  after  examining 
the  object  pointed  out,  he  said  with  a  sigh,  "  You  are 
right,  Gerald,  it  does  move ;  and  I  fear  we  are  pursued 
at  this  unlucky  moment,  when  we  cannot,  I  fear,  con- 
tinue our  riight.  You,  boys,  remain  to  watch,  while 
I  descend  to  hold  a  council  about  our  perilous  situa- 
tion." 

"  Hand  us  up  the  guns,  then,  Arthur,"  answered 
Gerald,  "  and  see  if  we  will  not  guard  the  pass.  Not  a 
single  rogue  shall  advance,  but  we  will  mark  him  and 
bring  him  down  from  our  watch-tower." 

"  That  plan  will  not  do,  Gerald,"  said  Arthur.  "  Your 
office  is  to  watch,  and,  as  soon  as  you  can,  to  ascertain 
their  strength." 

Then  the  distressed  youth  descended  to  report  his 
lamentable  tidings  to  the  tranquil  party  below,  and 
great  was  the  dismay  felt  by  the  timid. 


408  STRATAGEMS. 

"We  might  send  off  master  and  Miss  Margaret," 
said  Jack.  "What  think  you  of  that,  Mr.  Arthur? 
We  could  hold  out  here  a  good  bit,  to  let  them  have  a 
good  start  down  south  ;  and  then,  if  God  helped  us,  we 
might  get  after  them." 

"  Margaret,  what  do  you  say  to  this  plan  ? "  asked 
Mr.  Mayburn.  "There  is  Davy,  who  seems  honest, 
could  we  not  trust  him  to  conduct  us  and  our  two  poor 
women  to  our  friends  the  Deverells  ?  " 

"  It  must  not  be  so,  dear  papa,"  answered  Margaret ; 
"we  must  live  or  die  together.  Think  how  unhappy 
we  should  be  to  leave  them  exposed  to  dangers  for  our 
sakes.  But  could  we  not  hide  in  this  thick  wood  ?  It 
might  be  that  the  pursuers  would  not  discover  us." 

"  But  the  trail,  Margaret,"  answered  Arthur,  —  "  the 
trail  would  betray  us.  Is  there  any  mode  left  us  to  es- 
cape, do  you  think,  Wilkins  ?  " 

"  Ay,  ay,  Mr.  Arthur,  ye  fancy  it  '&  best  to  set  one 
rogue  to  cheat  another,"  replied  Wilkins.  "  Keep  up 
your  heart,  Miss ;  I  'se  thinking  we  can  lead  'em  on  a 
wrong  scent  yet." 

The  wood  behind  them  spread  for  a  considerable  way 
along  the  side  of  the  rivulet,  from  which  it  was  about  a 
hundred  yards  distant.  The  opposite  banks  were 
hemmed  up  to  the  water  with  a  broad  growth  of  reeds, 
beyond  which  lay  a  vast  entangled  scrub. 

"  We  11  see  if  we  cannot  manage  to  send  'em  ower 
yonder,"  continued  Wilkins,  pointing  to  the  opposite 
side ;  "  so  bring  t'  horses  here,  and  come  along  wi'  ye." 

By  the  orders  of  Wilkins  the  men  mounted  the  five 
sound  horses,  having  first  led  the  lame  one,  with  Mar- 
garet, Mr.  Mayburn,  and  the  women,  into  the  intricacies 
of  the  wood,  and  left  them,  carefully  arranging  the  bush, 


DISGUISING    THE    TRAIL.  409 

so  that  no  trail  could  be  seen.  Then  the  horsemen, 
making  a  broad  track,  by  riding  abreast,  proceeded  to 
the  shallow  rivulet,  crossed  it,  and  breaking  down  the 
reeds  before  them,  forced  a  pass  to  the  scrub.  Here  it 
was  unnecessary  to  proceed,  as  on  the  brush-covered 
ground  it  was  easy  to  suppose  the  trail  might  be  lost ; 
they  therefore  returned,  carefully  retracing  their  steps 
to  the  river,  and  riding  the  horses  in  the  water  about  a 
hundred  yards  down  the  stream,  from  which,  at  distant 
intervals,  they  brought  them  up  singly  to  the  wood,  ob- 
literating the  trail  with  scrupulous  care ;  and,  finally, 
through  several  convenient  openings,  they  introduced 
them  into  the  heart  of  the  wood,  where  a  small  grassy 
spot  enabled  them  to  leave  the  animals  to  graze,  after 
carefully  securing  them.  Here  all  the  party  assembled, 
to  wait  the  event,  except  the  three  boys,  who,  taking 
guns  and  bows,  returned  to  the  fig-trees  from  whence 
they  had  first  perceived  the  pursuers,  re-ascended,  and 
concealed  themselves  in  the  thick  foliage,  to  watch  the 
foe,  and,  if  necessary,  to  defend  the  fortress. 

The  pursuers  were  now  plainly  visible,  and  the  watch- 
ers discovered  that  the  party  consisted  of  the  bush- 
rangers, driving  before  them  a  herd  of  cattle,  and 
accompanied  by  a  band  of  the  natives.  The  procession 
certainly  formed  an  imposing  body,  but  the  men  were 
on  foot,  and  must  necessarily  proceed  slowly  with  the 
cattle ;  and  if  all  the  horses  had  been  fit  for  the  road, 
Arthur  saw  they  might  easily  have  escaped  pursuit,  and 
he  bitterly  regretted  the  imprudent  and  unprofitable 
chase  of  the  emu.  He  now  considered  that  the  most 
advisable  plan  would  be,  if  possible,  to  allow  the  men  to 
pass,  and  then  to  follow  them. 
35 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 

The  Sentinels  in  the  Trees.  —  The  End  of  Bill  the  Convict.  —  The 
Bush-rangers  deceived.  —  A  strange  New  Animal.  —  A  Bloody 
Conflict.  —  The  Mountain-pass.  —  The  Fruit  of  the  Acacia. — 
The  Travellers  in  Custody.  —  The  Court  of  Justice. 

EVERY  moment  increased  the  anxiety  of  the  young 
sentinels,  who  were  scarcely  able  to  speak  for  agitation, 
At  last  Hugh  said,  — 

"Isn't  it  a  capital  chance  for  us,  Arthur,  that  the 
great  drove  of  cattle  are  before  the  keen-eyed  rangers  ? 
They  will  trample  down  our  trail  effectually." 

This  was  certainly  an  advantage  to  the  fugitives,  es- 
pecially as  they  remarked  the  cattle  followed  the  exact 
track  they  had  made.  They  were  now  able  to  distin- 
guish the  powerful  figure  of  Black  Peter,  who  was  ac- 
companied by  the  three  strange  bushrangers  whom 
Jack  had  met  with  him,  and  followed  by  about  fifty  of 
the  natives  whom  they  had  seen  with  Bill  the  convict. 
These  men  were  painted  white,  as  if  for  battle,  and 
were  armed  with  spears  and  boomerangs  ;  but  Bill  was 
not  with  them,  —  a  circumstance  that  gave  great  satis- 
faction to  Arthur,  for  the  sake  of  poor  David. 

The  whole  body  drew  up  beneath  the  very  trees  in 
which  the  young  men  were  hidden  ;  and  whilst  the  cat- 
tle plunged  into  the  river  with  great  enjoyment,  Peter 
was  examining  the  trail  which  led  to  the  water,  and  had 
been  purposely  made  to  mislead  them.  He  then 
pointed  out  to  his  companions  the  broken  reeds  on  the 

(410) 


THE    FATE    OF    BILL.  411 

opposite  bank,  and  after  pouring  out  a  volley  of  curses, 
he  said,  — 

"  They  've  crossed  here,  and  not  very  long  sin',  that 's 
clear.  We  're  close  at  their  heels,  and  we  must  n't  bide 
long  dawdling  here  ;  and,  Jem,  see  ye  keep  that  brandy 
out  of  t'  way  of  them  black  and  white  bugaboos,  or 
we  'se  have  'em,  when  their  blood 's  up,  knocking  out 
our  brains,  and  we  have  n't  a  gun  left  to  learn  'em  man- 
ners with.  Let  me  lay  hold  on  my  gun  again,  and  t' 
first  job  I  '11  put  it  to  will  be  to  shoot  every  soul  of 
them  sneaking,  preaching  thieves  but  t'  girl,  and  I  '11  set 
her  up  as  a  bushranger's  jin.  She's  mine  by  right, 
sure  enough,  now  that  I  've  put  an  end  to  t'  palavering 
of  that  sneaking  fool  Bill." 

"  But,  Peter,  man,"  was  the  answer  of  one  of  the 
men,  "  I  fancy  them  black  fellows  did  n't  half  like  yer 
putting  a  knife  into  their  leader  ;  and  down  t*  country 
folks  would  call  it  a  murder." 

"  It  saved  Government  a  good  rope,"  said  Peter,  "  for 
that  was  his  due.  He  was  a  bigger  rogue  than  me, 
and  that 's  saying  a  deal." 

The  fearful  oaths  that  these  abandoned  men  mingled 
with  their  conversation  perfectly  appalled  the  listening 
boys,  and  they  felt  great  relief  when  they  rose  ;  and 
each  drinking  a  cup  of  brandy,  Peter  said,  — 

"  Now  come  on,  and  let 's  get  our  work  done.  Them 
fools  will  be  forced  to  slacken  their  pace  soon,  for  the 
beasts  will  never  hold  out  over  yon  scrub  ;  and  when 
we  've  got  our  guns  and  horses,  and  made  an  end  of  the 
lot  of  thieves,  we  '11  push  on  and  see  if  we  can't  do  a 
stroke  of  business  among  any  new  squatters." 

Then  the  man  made  a  speech  to  his  black  troop,  in 
their  own  language,  which  seemed  to  give  them  pleas- 


412  THE    DECEIVED    RANGERS. 

lire,  for  they  danced  and  clashed  their  spears,  and 
started  up  to  continue  their  route.  Thankfully  the 
watchers  saw  the  wretches  cross  the  river,  and  fall  into 
the  snare  of  continuing  over  the  scrub  ;  but  they  did 
not  venture  to  descend  for  half  an  hour,  when  they  had 
lost  sight  of  the  rangers,  and  concluded  they  must  be 
separated  by  a  distance  which  rendered  them  safe. 

"  What  rascals  !  "  exclaimed  Gerald.  "  It  was  well  I 
had  not  one  of  the  guns,  Arthur  ;  I  don't  think  I  could 
have  helped  shooting  Black  Peter,  when  he  boasted 
that  he  had  murdered  Bill.  I  think  I  had  a  right." 

"No  you  hadn't,  Gerald,"  said  Hugh.  "It  would 
not  have  been  English  justice.  The  worst  criminal  has 
a  right  to  a  trial  by  jury.  What  do  you  say,  Arthur?  " 

"  We  should  have  some  trouble  in  summoning  a  jury 
here,  Hugh,"  answered  Arthur ;  "  nevertheless,  I  should 
not  have  liked  to  take  on  myself  the  office  of  execu- 
tioner. Besides,  you  must  remember,  such  an  act 
would  have  brought  destruction  on  ourselves,  and  on  all 
who  depend  on  us.  God  will  bring  the  villain  to  jus- 
tice." 

The  boys  made  their  way  through  the  thick  wood  till 
they  reached  the  little  glade  where  their  anxious  friends 
were  watching  for  them. 

"  All  right !  "  cried  Gerald  ;  "  we  need  not  call  over 
the  roll.  Now  you  must  all  be  content  to  form  the 
rear-guard  of  the  bush-rangers.  I  suppose,  Arthur, 
there  is  no  need  to  hurry  ;  we  are  not  particularly  de- 
sirous to  overtake  the  rogues." 

"  But,  my  dear  boys ! "  exclaimed  Mr.  Mayburn  ; 
"  Arthur,  do  you  speak.  Is  it  safe  to  venture  from  this 
quiet  retreat  yet  ?  Consider  these  lawless  men  might, 


DAVID'S  DISTRESS.  413 

at  any  moment,  turn  round  ;  and  it  seems  they  would 
not  scruple  to  commit  murder." 

"  Was  Bill  with  'em,  sir  ? "  asked  David,  looking 
very  much  ashamed. 

With  much  kindness  and  consideration,  Arthur  gently 
broke  to  the  poor  lad  the  melancholy  fate  of  his  vile 
brother  ;  and  David  shed  "many  tears  for  the  unhappy 
convict. 

"  I  were  auld  enough  to  have  known  better,  sir,"  said 
he  ;  "  he  could  n't  have  gettin  me  into  bad  ways,  if  I  'd 
thought  on  my  prayers  and  turned  again'  him  ;  and  if 
I  'd  held  out,  things  might  n't  have  turned  out  so  bad  wi' 
him.  Them  that  lets  themselves  be  'ticed  to  do.  bad 
deeds,  is  worse  nor  them  that  'tices  'em.  God  forgive 
me  for  niver  speaking  out  like  a  man  to  poor  Bill ! " 

Margaret  spoke  kindly  to  the  sorrowful  man,  showing 
him  the  fearful  warning  sent  in  this  sad  catastrophe, 
and  beseeching  him  never  to  forget  it  ;  but  to  pray  con- 
tinually that  he  might  be  kept  strictly  in  the  right  path. 

Wilkins  was  much  shocked  at  the  violent  death  of  the 
convict  ;  but,  nevertheless,  he  whispered  to  Jenny, 
"  He 's  well  ta'en  out  of  t'  way  ;  for  he  were  a  bigger 
scoundrel  nor  Peter  hisself,  for  all  his  grand  rigmarole 
talk." 

As  the  lame  horse  was  unfit  for  work  yet,  it  was  led 
after  the  rest  ;  and  Arthur,  who  chose  to  walk,  selected 
David  for  his  companion,  and  took  the  opportunity, 
while  he  consoled  him  under  his  heavy  affliction,  to  di- 
rect his  softened  heart  to  good  and  holy  aspirations. 
They  continued  their  journey  along  the  right  bank  of 
the  rivulet ;  the  country  being  more  fertile,  and  the 
grassy  plains  more  favorable  for  the  horses  than  among 
the  brushwood. 

35* 


414  MOUNTAIN    SCENERY. 

For  three  days  they  proceeded  undisturbed,  and  wiih 
revived  hopes.  Then  the  scenery  became  still  more 
beautiful  ;  the  ground  was  covered  with  lofty  trees,  on 
which  already  the  young  buds  were  forming.  These 
trees  were  tenanted  by  thousands  of  lovely  birds  ;  and 
their  cheerful  notes  enlivened  the  solitude.  In  the  dis- 
tance before  them  rose  a  pile  of  scattered  rocky  moun- 
tains, which,  as  they  drew  nearer,  they  saw  were  cov- 
ered with  brushwood,  and  might  have  formed  a  barrier 
to  their  path,  but  they  seemed  to  be  pierced  by  in- 
numerable narrow  winding  gorges. 

"  We  must  proceed  with  great  caution  and  watchful- 
ness here,"  &aid  Arthur ;  "  for  it  is  not  improbable  that 
we  may  have  fallen  unhappily  upon  the  track  of  our 
enemies,  and  we  must  have  gained  ground  on  them, 
now  that  we  are  all  mounted  again.  We  must  be  care- 
ful to  avoid  an  encounter  among  these  perplexing 
mountains." 

"  We  have  two  guns,"  said  Gerald,  "  and  we  should 
have  no  difficulty  in  keeping  one  of  these  narrow 
passes  against  the  whole  undisciplined  gang ;  then  we 
could  have  our  bowmen  hid  in  the  brushwood  above, 
to  shower  down  destruction  on  the  foe.  It  is  a  grand 
spot  for  a  skirmish  !  " 

"  God  forbid  that  we  should  be  called  on  to  make 
this  lovely  solitude  a  field  of  blood  ! "  said  Mr.  May- 
burn.  "  How  dare  proud  and  disobedient  man  profane 
the  sanctity  of  Nature,  and  desecrate  her  grand  and 
marvellous  works.  Does  not  the  contemplation  of  these 
mighty  mountains,  spreading  as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach, 
broken  into  fantastic  forms,  and  apparently  inaccessible 
and  impassable,  startle  and  humiliate  the  presuming 
pride  of  fallen  man  ?  " 


A    NEW    ANIMAL.  415 

•  There  is  a  voiceless  eloquence  in  earth 
Telling  of  him  who  gave  her  wonders  birth.  " 

"  Keep  in  the  rear,  papa/'  said  Arthur ;  "  we  must 
reconnoitre  secretly,  before  we  venture  into  these 
mazes." 

"  Choose  a  narrow  pass,  Arthur,"  cried  Gerald.  "  It 
will  suit  best  for  our  manoeuvres,  if  we  come  to  a  bat- 
tle. Halloo !  what  wild  beast  can  that  be  I  hear  roar- 
ing. No  Australian  animal  that  we  have  met  with  yet 
has  such  a  sonorous  voice." 

"  Oh,  Jack  ! "  cried  Ruth,  clinging  to  her  brother, 
behind  whom  she  was  mounted.  "  Jack,  honey,  stop  a 
bit,  hear  ye  ;  yon  's  a  bear,  and  I  'se  feared  of  my  life  ; 
it's  a  bear  like  them  'at  dances  about  at  t'  fairs  !  " 

"A  bear  growls,"  said  Hugh ;  "  but  that  is  decidedly 
a  roar ;  it  is  more  like  the  voice  of  the  royal  lion,  and 
we  shall  have  some  sport  at  last.  To  arms  !  to  arms ! " 

Jack  and  Ruth  were  some  yards  in  advance  of  the 
rest,  when  suddenly  from  a  thicket  just  before  them,  a 
wild  bull  rushed  furiously  upon  their  path,  tossing  his 
head,  as  if  enraged  that  his  solitude  had  been  invaded, 
or  probably  expecting  to  encounter  the  powerful  oppo- 
nent which  had  banished  him  in  disgrace  from  his  own 
herd.  He  was  a  huge,  dark-red  animal,  with  short 
sharp  horns  and  broad  forehead,  and  his  fierce  and  fiery 
eye,  and  loud  threatening  bellow,  denoted  him  to  be  a 
dangerous  antagonist. 

He  stopped  for  a  moment  and  eyed  the  horse,  then 
tore  round  and  round,  throwing  up  the  earth  with  his 
horns,  and  uttering  continually  a  deep  sullen  roar. 
Jack  was  turning  round  to  avoid  the  unpleasant  meet- 
ing, when  suddenly  the  infuriated  animal  arrested  his 
whirling  course,  and  before  Jack  could  extricate  him- 


416          A  DANGEROUS  ANTAGONIST. 

self  from  Ruth's  arms,  to  use  his  spear,  the  beast  had 
rushed  impetuously  on  the  horse,  and  gored  it  fright- 
fully. The  terrified  horse  immediately  reared,  and 
flung  both  his  riders  off. 

Jack,  though  considerably  bruised,  sprang  up,  drag- 
ged the  senseless  Ruth  out  of  the  path  of  the  mad 
creature,  and  placed  her  under  the  bushes,  and  then 
returned  with  his  spear  ready  to  defend  himself;  but 
he  found  to  his  great  grief  his  poor  horse  thrown  down, 
trampled  on,  and  gored  by  the  frenzied  animal,  which 
continued  to  repeat  its  merciless  attacks,  regardless  of 
the  many  wounds  inflicted  by  Wilkins  and  Hugh,  who 
had  galloped  up  in  haste  to  aid  Jack. 

At  length,  tired  with  goring  the  horse,  the  bull  turned 
on  Jack,  who  faced  him  with  his  uplifted  spear ;  but 
before  he  could  strike,  Arthur  called  out  to  them  all  to 
draw  back,  and,  riding  up  himself,  he  shot  the  beast 
through  the  head.  It  fell  heavily,  and  Wilkins  dis- 
mounted, drew  out  his  knife,  and  went  up  to  finish  the 
execution ;  but  he  was  too  early,  for  the  powerful  ani- 
mal rose  again  to  his  legs,  caught  the  man  on  his  strong 
brow,  and  flung  him  over  his  head  to  a  considerable 
distance. 

A  second  shot,  however,  despatched  the  bull,  and 
then  all  went  up  to  Wilkins, 'whom  they  found  insen- 
sible ;  but,  though  much  bruised  and  stunned  by  the 
fall,  he  was  providentially  unwounded  by  the  horns  of 
the  formidable  animal.  The  exertions  of  his  distressed 
friends  soon  restored  the  poor  man  to  his  senses,  and  he 
was  able  to  take  little  Nakinna,  to  look  at  the  "  big 
dingo,"  which  astonished  her  so  much,  and  even  Bal- 
dabella  deigned  to  express  some  interest  at  the  sight  of 
an  animal  so  much  larger  than  any  she  had  ever  beheld. 


THE    FRUIT    OF    THE    ACACIA.  417 

Wilkins  declared  it  was  a  shame  to  leave  so  much 
good  meat  lying  to  waste  on  the  high  road ;  but  they 
were  now  in  a  land  of  plenty  ;  besides,  the  dark  coarse 
flesh  of  the  bull  was  not  of  a  tempting  quality,  and  it 
was  agreed  that  it  might  as  well  be  abandoned. 

But  the  question  arose,  "  Where  did  this  bull  come 
from  ? "  It  was  certainly  not  an  Australian  animal ; 
and  should  it  have  wandered  from  any  settlement,  they 
might  hope  that  they  were  not  so  very  far  from  civil- 
ization ;  and  as  they  discussed  the  probability,  and  con- 
tinued their  journey,  they  looked  out  carefully  lest  they 
should  encounter  any  more  wild  cattle. 

A  very  narrow  passage,  between  two  high  wood- 
covered  rocky  walls,  offered  a  convenient  pass,  and 
even  suitable  to  the  warlike  plan  of  O'Brien ;  and  Ar- 
thur taking  the  lead,  with  Gerald  behind  him,  they 
ventured  to  leave  the  rest  at  the  entrance  of  the  pass, 
till  they  had  first  ascertained  the  safety  and  direction  of 
the  road. 

"Arthur,"  said  Gerald,  in  a  suppressed  voice,  "  I  am 
certain  that  I  hear  a  rustling  in  the  bushes  over  our 
heads.  Do  stop  a  moment,  and  let  me  send  an  arrow 
into  the  bush." 

"  Pray  forbear,  my  boy,"  answered  Arthur ;  "  if  it 
should  be  another  wild  bull,  your  arrow  would  only 
irritate  it ;  and  if,  as  it  is  probable,  the  bush-ranger 
should  be  some  harmless  pigeon  or  parrot,  let  it  live, 
we  are  well  provided  with  food.  Let  us  rather  turn 
our  thoughts  to  these  perplexing  passages,  which  strike 
out  on  all  sides  of  us,  and  which  will  bewilder  us  till  we 
shall  never  find  our  way  back  to  our  friends,  if  we  go 
much  further.  Now,  which  of  these  roads  shall  we 
take  ?  After  all,  Gerald,  I  think  we  had  better  turn 


418  AN    ACCUSATION. 

back  for  the  rest,  and  take  our  chance  altogether. 
Which  of  these  puzzling  alleys  did  we  come  through ':  " 

"  Not  that  dismal  hole,  Arthur,"  answered  he,  laugh- 
ing. "  We  came  along  here,  I  remember  this  beautiful 
overhanging  acacia." 

Just  as  he  spoke,  some  stones  fell  from  above  on 
them ;  and  Gerald,  seizing  the  pendent  branch  of  the 
acacia,  leaped  from  his  horse,  and  before  Arthur  could 
interfere  was  swinging  and  climbing  up  the  rock. 

"  Gerald,  you  rash  fellow,"  cried  Arthur,  "  what  has 
induced  you  to  such  a  wild  frolic  ?  what  are  you  about 
to  do  ?  Do  come  down." 

"  Not  before  I  make  out  the  meaning  of  the  acacia 
showering  down  stones  on  my  head,  instead  of  fruit," 
answered  Gerald;  and  then  Arthur  heard  him  say  in  a 
tone  of  astonishment,  "  Halloo !  my  friend,  what  will 
you  please  to  be  looking  after  ?  " 

In  utter  amazement  and  alarm  at  hearing  the  boy 
address  any  being  in  that  strange  solitude,  Arthur  tied 
the  horses  to  the  tree,  and,  armed  with  his  gun,  climbed 
the  rock  so  expeditiously,  that  he  arrested  Gerald's 
spear,  as  he  was  about  to  strike  a  tall,  rough-looking 
man,  with  whom  he  was  struggling,  and  who  turned 
round  as  Arthur  appeared,  saying,  u  How  many  more 
on  ye  may  there  be  ?  We  can  match  ye  all,  rogues  as 
ye  are.  Have  ye  fetched  our  beast  back  ?  " 

"  My  good  man,"  said  Arthur,  "  it  seems  to  me  that 
we  have  been  both  mistaken.  You  take  us  for  bush- 
rangers, and  we  thought  you  belonged  to  the  same 
thievish  community.  Now,  we  are  poor  travellers, 
robbed  by  those  rangers,  who  have,  with  difficulty, 
made  our  escape  from  the  plunderers,  destitute  of  all 
property." 


TAKEN    UP    ON    SUSPICION.  419 

"Ye '11  surelie,  not  have  a  face  to  tell  me  that, 
young  fellow,"  answered  the  man,  "  when  I  seed  ye 
mysel'  atop  of  one  of  our  horses." 

"  That  certainly  is  a  suspicious  circumstance,"  an- 
swered Arthur,  laughing ;  "  and  I  must  tell  the  truth ; 
we  did  borrow  the  horses  from  our  jailers,  that  we 
might  have  the  means  of  making  our  escape." 

"  That 's  likely  all  flam,"  said  the  man.  "  Howsom- 
ever,  ye  mun  come  afore  our  master,  and  make  out  yer 
story.  I  'se  not  soft  enough  to  let  ye  off  this  like." 

"  We  shall  be  very  glad  indeed  to  see  your  master," 
replied  Arthur ;  "  especially  if  he  is  of  our  country, 
and  near  at  hand.  Who  is  he  ?  and  where  is  he  ?  " 

"  He 's  a  squatter,"  grumbled  the  man,  "  and  he  's 
down  yonder,  seeking  out  a  road  to  get  through  these 
in-and-out  walls  fit  to  puzzle  a  conjuror." 

"  If  you  will  show  us  an  easier  mode  of  descent  than 
that  by  which  we  reached  you,"  said  Arthur,  "  we  will 
not  only  willingly  accompany  you  ;  but  we  will  take 
with  us  the  whole  of  our  party,  and  the  stolen  horses 
into  the  bargain." 

The  man  looked  very  suspiciously  at  the  free  and 
easy  strangers,  but,  anxious  to  recover  his  master's 
property,  he  led  them  by  an  easy  descent  to  the  pass, 
and  then  suffered  O'Brien  to  go  and  bring  up  the  rest 
of  the  party,  retaining  Arthur  as  a  hostage.  But  the 
astonishment  of  the  stranger  was  very  great,  when  he 
saw  the  long  line  of  the  travellers  filling  up  the  narrow 
pass  ;  and  struck  by  the  venerable  appearance  of  Mr. 
Mayburn,  who  rode  first,  his  hard  features  relaxed,  he 
touched  his  cap  with  respect,  and  rode  before  the  trav- 
ellers, to  be  the  first  to  announce  to  his  master  this 
wonderful  encounter. 


420  A    PLEASANT    MEETING. 

Keeping  their  guide  in  sight,  they  followed  him 
through  many  narrow  and  intricate  paths,  gradually 
ascending,  till  they  came  on  a  wide  and  level  grass- 
covered  spot,  still  surrounded  by  high  mountainous 
walls.  A  number  of  horses  were  feeding  on  the  grass, 
and  at  the  foot  of  a  majestic  and  almost  perpendicular 
cliff,  clothed  with  a  thick  forest,  were  reposing  a  party 
of  men,  eating  their  repast,  which  was  spread  out  upon 
the  grass.  One  of  the  party  looked  round,  and,  with  a 
cry  of  joy,  the  wanderers  recognized  their  friend  Ed- 
ward Deverell. 

"  Arthur  !  Hugh !  "  he  exclaimed,  "  my  dear  and 
reverend  friend  Mr.  Mayburn  !  Margaret  too  !  What 
pleasure !  and  what  miracle  can  have  brought  us 
together  once  more  in  these  strange  and  wild  moun- 
tains?" 

"  Your  man  has  brought  us  up  before  your  worship 
on  a  charge  of  stealing,"  said  Arthur,  laughing ;  "  and 
he  certainly  did  not  exceed  his  duty ;  he  had  good 
grounds  for  apprehending  us,  for  it  seems  we  are 
actually  travelling  on  your  horses." 

"  I  am  glad  they  are  in  such  good  hands,"  answered 
Deverell ;  "  but  however  did  my  shepherd  meet  with 
you  ?  " 

"  Why,  sir,"  said  the  man,  "  ye  see,  I  beared  summut 
like  a  shot,  and  off  I  set,  for  I  was  curious  like  to  see 
what  it  might  be  ;  and  I  clomb  and  crambled  about, 
till  all  at  once  I  hears  talking,  and  I  peers  through  t' 
bushes,  and  there  I  sees  one  of  these  here  young  gents 
atop  of  our  Sallydun,  and  says  I  to  myself,  '  Them 's 
rangers,  they  are ; '  and  when  young  master  there  clomb 
up,  and  defied  me  like,  I  thought  it  were  nat'ral  that 
they  were  rangers,  and  I  laid  hands  on  'em." 


THE    NATIVE    POLICE.  421 

As  soon  as  the  man  had  finished  his  narrative,  re- 
peated and  joyful  greetings  passed  between  the  friends, 
and  Edward  Deverell. explained  that  his  appearance  at 
such  a  distance  from  his  home  originated  in  his  desire 
to  pursue  and  capture  the  audacious  bush-rangers  who 
had  robbed  him  of  so  much  property. 

"  I  have  brought  with  me"  three  of  my  own  stock- 
keepers  to  identify  the  cattle,"  he  said  ;  "  the  rest,  as 
you  may  see  from  their  complexion  and  uniform,  are  of 
that  useful  body,  the  native  police." 

These  dark-complexioned  officials  were  of  very  strik- 
ing appearance;  their  dress  was  light  and  scanty, 
bristling  with  pistols  and  sabres ;  their  feet  bare,  and 
their  hair  long  and  flowing.  Their  keen,  glittering 
eyes  ran  over  the  strangers  in  a  most  professional 
manner,  very  embarrassing  to  Wilkins  and  David, 
who  both  held  down  their  heads  before  the  searching 
glances.  David  seemed  afraid  to  appear  before  his 
injured  master,  who  looked  much  surprised  to  see  him 
attached  to  Mr.  Mayburn's  party;  but  discreetly  de- 
ferred any  investigation  into  the  affair,  till  he  should  be 
informed  what  strange  chance  had  brought  the  voy- 
agers to  India  into  the  very  heart  of  Australia. 

"  Don't  you  remember,  Edward  Deverell,"  said 
Hugh,  "  that  Gerald  and  I  always  wished  to  be  here, 
instead  of  broiling  among  the  Hindoos,  and  being 
carried  about  in  palanquins?  And  I  believe  Arthur 
and  Margaret  longed  for  it  in  their  hearts,  only  they 
conceived  it  was  papa's  duty  to  fulfil  his  engagement. 
Yet,  after  all,  it  is  not  our  own  will,  but  a  happy  ordi- 
nation of  Providence,  that  has  at  length  united  us  ;  and 
now,  I  suppose,  we  must  follow  your  example  and  squat 
in  Australia." 

36 


422  EXPLANATIONS. 

"  But  consider  the  risk,  my  dear  Hugh,"  said  Mr. 
Mayburn.  "  Even  our  experienced  friend  Deverell 
has  not  escaped  being  plundered  by  these  savages, 
who  are  too  frequently  in  union  with  unscrupulous 
murderers.  I  should  live  in  continual  dread  in  these 
wild  regions." 

"  Why,  papa,"  said  Gerald,  "  there  are  robbers  and 
murderers  even  in  happy  and  civilized  Britain." 

"  Doubtless  there  are,  Gerald,"  said  Edward  Deverell. 
"No  civilization  can  eradicate  the  black  spot  of  our 
fallen  nature ;  it  is  only  the  grace  and  mercy  of  God 
that  can  keep  the  evil  spirit  in  subjection.  But  have 
no  fears,  my  dear  Mr.  Mayburn  ;  we  must  not  alarm 
Margaret  when  we  hope  to  persuade  her  to  visit  our 
lonely  retreat.  We  have  an  excellent  police  staff; 
and  when  our  servants  are  properly  drilled,  and  our 
fences  made  secure,  we  shall  be  as  safe  as  we  should  be 
in  Europe.  Now  give  the  horses  to  the  servants  ;  sit 
down  and  eat;  and  then  let  me  hear  your  strange 
adventures." 


CHAPTER     XXXII. 

Travellers'  Wonders.  —  The  Detective  Force.  —  A  Trap  for  the 
Rangers. —  The  Skirmish  and  the  Victory.  —  Daisies  in  Austra- 
lia. —  The  Constancy  of  Susan  Raine.  —  The  Trial  and  Sentence 
of  the  Natives.  —  Peter  and  his  Colleagues. 

ARTHUR  was  the  narrator,  and  his  long  and  wonder- 
ful story  produced  much  sympathy  and  astonishment  in 
his  friendly  hearer.  At  the  earnest  request  of  Margaret, 
the  delinquent  Davy  was  pardoned,  and  reinstalled  in 
his  office  of  stock-keeper  ;  and  Mr.  Deverell  promised 
to  interest  himself  to  obtain  the  emancipation  of  Wil- 
kins. 

"  I  must  enlist  you  all  to  join  my  small  force,"  said 
Edward  Deverell ;  "  for  it  is  my  intention  to  persevere 
in  my  attempt  to  recover  my  cattle  and  punish  the  rob- 
bers. My  black  allies  are  of  opinion  that  the  men  who 
drove  off  the  cattle  will  dispose  of  them  to  some  of  those 
unprincipled  dealers  who  range  the  interior  to  pick  up 
such  bargains,  and  who  can  again  sell  them  for  large 
profits  to  the  Macquarie  gold-diggers,  who  make  no  in- 
quiries how  they  were  obtained.  They  must  necessarily 
bring  the  cattle  through  the  direct  pass  of  these  moun- 
tains, which  is  not  quite  so  perplexing  as  that  you  had 
selected  ;  and  we  are  encamped  here  to  watch  for  and 
intercept  them.  From  your  report,  the  party  will  be 
more  numerous  than  we  expected ;  but  the  hungry 
blacks  who  swell  their  train,  in  the  hopes  of  receiv- 
ing a  share  of  the  brandy  and  tobacco,  are  no  heroes. 

(423) 


424  ROBIN    HOOD    LAW. 

I  think,  Hugh,  we  shall  be  able  to  give  them  a  drub- 
bing." 

"  As  if  there  could  be  a  doubt  of  it ! "  said  Hugh, 
contemptuously.  "  We  are  all  ready  to  enlist  into  the 
ranks,  captain,  I  will  engage  to  say  —  that  is,  with  the 
exception  of  papa  and  the  womankind ;  the  chaplain 
to  the  regiment,  and  the  Sisters  of  Charity  who  are  to 
attend  on  the  wounded." 

"  Most  useful  members  of  the  army  they  will  be," 
answered  Deverell,  "  if  we  come  to  close  quarters  ;  for, 
greatly  as  I  abhor  warfare,  I  do  not  expect  to  settle  this 
vexatious  matter  without  bloodshed." 

"  If  ye  did,  sir,"  said  Wilkins,  "  ye  'd  be  wrong ;  and, 
depend  on  %  ye  M  soon  have  plenty  more  such-like  cus- 
tomers. If  a  mad  dog  were  to  bite  a  man,  and  he  let  it 
run  off,  he  'd  be  safe  to  bite  other  folks,  and  that 's  not 
fair.  I  say,  knock  him  on  t*  head  at  first." 

"  The  cases  will  hardly  bear  comparison,  Wilkins," 
replied  Mr.  Mayburn  ;  "  and  it  has  ever  been  a  question 
among  reasoning  men  whether  the  destitute  ought  to  be 
subjected  to  capital  punishment  for  seizing  a  share  of  the 
abundance  of  the  prosperous." 

"  Robin  Hood  law J  —  rob  the  rich  to  feed  the  poor," 
cried  Gerald.  "  Only  think  of  papa  encouraging  bush- 
ranging!" 

"  My  dear  Mr.  Mayburn,  spare  your  compassion  for 
these  rogues,"  said  Deverell,  laughing.  "  These  men 
are  not  destitute  —  they  are  worthless,  idle  vagabonds, 
and,  according  to  the  by-laws  of  squatters  and  settlers, 
they  are  amenable  to  justice.  I  shall  certainly  reclaim 
my  own  property,  give  the  scoundrels  a  sound  thrash- 
ing, and,  if  they  show  fight,  we  are  prepared  for  actual 
service,  and  they  must  take  the  consequences." 


THE    WORK    OP   PREPARATION.  425 

It  was  long  before  the  party  were  tired  of  conversa- 
tion, and  settled  to  take  a  secure  night's  rest ;  while  the 
watchful  police  relieved  each  other,  lest  the  rangers 
should  pass  during  the  night.  In  the  morning  they 
placed  themselves  in  convenient  posts  on  the  mountains, 
where  they  could  command  all  the  approaches;  but 
the  day  was  somewhat  advanced  when  notice  was  given 
that  objects  were  seen  approaching  at  a  distance.  Then 
the  work  of  preparation  actually  began ;  along  the 
heights  of  the  pass  were  placed  the  rifle-rangers,  as  Hugh 
termed  them,  consisting  of  Arthur,  Gerald,  and  himself, 
Mr.  Deverell,  and  six  of  the  police.  Margaret  and 
Mr.  Mayburn,  with  the  women,  were  left  in  perfect 
security  in  the  little  glen  where  the  encampment  was 
formed ;  and  the  rest  of  the  party  guarded  the  end  of 
the  pass,  to  secure  any  of  the  enemy  who  might  succeed 
in  reaching  it. 

"We  conclude,"  said  Mr.  Deverell,  "that  the  ran- 
gers, who  doubtless  are  well  acquainted  with  the  pass, 
will  drive  the  cattle  on  before  them.  Now  we  propose 
to  secure  these  as  they  issue  from  this  walled  passage, 
and  when  they  are  all  again  in  our  possession,  the 
stock-keepers  must  be  ready  to  drive  them  off;  while 
the  rest  of  our  troop  must  intercept  and  capture  the 
drivers,  to  prevent  pursuit.  And  now,  Davy,  I  will 
test  your  fidelity  again.  Will  you  take  up  your  whip 
and  set  off  with  our  beasts  to  the  station  ?  " 

"  If  ye  'd  not  object,  master,"  said  Davy,  humbly, 
"  I  'd  as  lief  have  a  shot  among  'em  afore  I  set  out, 
specially  at  that  deep,  black-hearted  rogue  Peter,  a.s 
put  an  end  to  our  Bill.  I  can't  say,  master,  Bill  did  n  't 
get  far  wrang;  but  Peter's  out  and  out  a  worse  chap, 
and  it  wasn't  his  place  to  kill  a  better  fellow  nor 
hisself." 


426  LILT. 

"  You  will  obey  my  orders,  Davy,"  said  his  master, 
"  and  leave  the  punishment  of  Peter  in  our  hands.  1 
will  take  care  he  shall  suffer  for  his  misdeeds  ;  and  you 
will  do  your  duty  best  by  looking  after  your  old  four- 
footed  friends.  Have  the  rogues  spared  poor  Lily, 
David  ?  She  was  of  a  fine  breed,  Gerald,  and  I  was 
deeply  incensed  at  the  rogues  for  selecting  her  to  carry 
off." 

"Bless  ye,  master,  they  count  nought  of  breeds," 
answered  Davy;  "all  they  want  is  to  kill  plenty  for 
beef,  and  to  swop  all  they  've  left  for  spurrits  and  backy ; 
Lily  was  to  t'  fore  when  I  cut  off  from  'em,  bonnie  cre- 
tur,  but  she  '11  be  hard  up,  if  they  've  brought  her  this 
far.  She  always  kenned  me,  master,  and  let  me  milk 
her ;  but  she  niver  could  bide  them  black  fellows  nigh 
hand  her." 

"  Very  good,  Davy,"  answered  Deverell.  "  Then 
your  duty  is  to  drive  off  Lily,  and  as  many  more  beasts 
as  you  can  manage,  to  this  glen ;  and  to  remain  here 
with  Mr.  Mayburn  till  we  come  up,  as  we  hope,  with 
our  prisoners.  Then  we  shall  set  out  in  good  spirits  on 
our  long  journey  to  Daisy  Grange." 

In  a  quarter  of  an  hour  all  the  arrangements  were 
made,  the  brave  defenders  were  all  ready :  by  this  time 
the  procession  was  close  to  the  mountains ;  the  bush- 
rangers were  driving  the  cattle  before  them,  followed  by 
Peter,  with  his  black  troop.  He  now  appeared  painted 
like  his  men  with  the  peculiar  insignia  of  war  and  defi- 
ance, his  body  being  marked  in  red  lines  in  the  form  of 
a  skeleton,  a  decoration  he  had  probably  adopted  to 
conciliate  the  natives. 

The  weary  cattle  were  slowly  urged  into  the  narrow 
rock-bound  path,  one  of  the  rangers  heading  them,  to 


THE    SKIRMISH.  427 

lead  them  along  the  right  pass,  the  rest  following  them 
closely.  The  confined  path  rung  with  the  lowing  of 
the  alarmed  and  reluctant  cattle,  forced  onward  cruelly 
by  the  spears  of  their  drivers,  whose  wild  and  terrific 
oaths  completed  the  discordant  tumult.  At  length,  when 
the  cattle-leader  emerged  from  the  narrow  part  of  the 
pass  to  a  more  open  space,  and  had  his  face  turned  back 
to  see  that  the  line  of  animals  was  properly  brought 
forward,  he  was  easily  seized,  gagged,  and  bound  by 
the  dexterous  police.  Then,  as  the  animals  one  after 
another  appeared,  they  were  driven  off  by  the  stock- 
keepers  to  the  glen. 

The  rest  of  the  party  were  prepared  to  capture  the 
rangers  as  they  followed  the  cattle ;  but  the  sudden  cry 
of  the  leader,  who  had  been  seized,  and  which  was 
easily  distinguished  amidst  the  clamor  of  the  noisy  cat- 
tle, was  heard  by  Peter.  The  shrewd  man  at  once 
comprehended  the  opposition  that  awaited  them,  and 
calling  on  his  black  fellows  to  wield  their  spears  and 
follow  him,  he  rushed  on,  with  his  men  behind  him,  to 
the  scene  of  conflict.  The  police  on  the  heights  al- 
lowed him  and  some  of  his  black  followers  to  proceed  a 
little  forward,  and  then  fired  a  volley  down  into  the 
midst  of  the  blacks  that  were  left  behind,  who,  surprised 
and  bewildered,  and  ever  terrified  at  the  effects  of  fire- 
arms, turned  back  tumultuously  and  fled.  In  vain  the 
desperate  Black  Peter  shouted  to  rally  his  followers, 
and  fought  desperately  against  the  men  at  the  end  of 
the  pass  with  the  few  supporters  he  had  brought  on. 
He  and  his  troops  were  soon  overpowered,  and  all  cap- 
tured and  bound,  with  very  little  bloodshed. 

"  Huzza  !  "  cried  Gerald  ;  "  a  glorious  victory  !  Ar- 
thur, you  must  write  the  despatch ;  naming  the  superior 


428  THE    VICTORY. 

force  of  the  enemy,  the  cool  and  determined  bravery  of 
the  little  body  of  defenders,  the  desperate  resistance  of 
the  furious  bushrangers,  their  complete  discomfiture ; 
and,  finally,  you  must  particularly  mention  the  prudent, 
vigorous,  and  successful  support  of  the  young  Lieuten- 
ant O'Brien,  who  is  recommended  for  promotion." 

"  Margaret  will  consider  us  all  heroes,"  said  Hugh ; 
"  and  we  must  hasten  on  as  speedily  as  possible  to  allay 
her  anxiety  for  us.  But,  Captain  Deverell,  whatever 
are  we  to  do  with  these  prisoners  ?  " 

"  We  are  bound  to  convey  or  send  the  dangerous 
bushrangers  to  Sydney,"  answered  Deverell,  "  there  to 
be  dealt  with  according  to  law.  As  for  the  cowardly, 
treacherous,  and  ignorant  natives,  we  must  devise  some 
punishment  for  them ;  but,  if  possible,  we  will  not  en- 
cumber ourselves  with  them,  nor  be  obliged  to  feed  them 
on  our  journey.  For  the  present  we  must  contrive  to 
keep  them  in  some  place  of  security  till  the  police  re- 
turn from  their  useless  chase  of  the  unhappy  blacks 
who  have  fled." 

"  And  who  will,  I  hope,  escape,"  said  Arthur ;  "  for 
they  are  but  tools  in  the  hands  of  these  abandoned  con- 
victs, and  are  scarcely  themselves  responsible  for  their 
deeds  of  evil." 

"  See  here,"  said  Gerald ;  "  this  large  cave  would 
make  a  good  jail,  and  we  might  build  up  the  en- 
trance:" 

"  Then  ye  '11  have  to  look  about  for  a  lot  of  caves, 
Master  Gerald,"  said  Wilkins,  "and  lodge  'em,  as  they 
say  down  t'  country,  on  t'  separate  system,  or  we  'se 
find  all  our  birds  flown  to-morrow  morning,  I'll  en- 
gage. Why,  bless  you,  if  that  there  Black  Peter  was 
shut  np  for  a  day  wi'  a  new-born  babby,  he  'd  make  't 


THE    PRISONERS.  429 

a  rogue  for  life.  He  'd  make  a  parson  into  a  bush- 
ranger, give  him  a  bit  of  time ;  and  my  fancy  is  as  how 
he 's  helped  by  that  bad  'un  as  is  his  master ;  God  save 
us!" 

"There  is  no  doubt,  Wilkins,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn, 
"  that  the  Great  Spirit  of  Evil  does  readily  and  unfail- 
ingly stretch  forth  his  hand*  to  aid  his  wicked  followers, 
arid  we  should  all  join  in  your  prayer,  my  good  man. 
May  God  save  us  in  the  hour  of  temptation  ! " 

Around  the  little  hollow  where  the  encampment  was 
found,  and  where  the  young  heroes  were  joyfully  wel- 
comed, were  many  small  caves  in  the  rocks,  in  which 
the  prisoners,  black  and  white,  were  separately  enclosed. 
One  of  the  stock-keepers  had  received  a  spear-wound  in 
his  arm ;  and  one  of  the  misguided  natives  was  killed 
by  a  rifle-shot.  These  were  all  the  casualties.  When 
the  police  returned  from  the  pursuit  of  the  black  fugi- 
tives, who  had  taken  refuge  in  a  thick  wood,  after  many 
of  them  had  been  severely  wounded,  Mr.  Deverell  re- 
quested that  all  further  pursuit  should  be  relinquished,  as 
the  cattle  were  recovered  and  the  ringleaders  were  now 
in  confinement,  which  he  knew  would  be  a  terrible 
punishment  to  them,  even  though  it  were  only  for  one 
night. 

Margaret  and  Mr.  Mayburn  paid  every  care  and  at- 
tention to  the  wounded  man,  and  when  all  their  duties 
were  fulfilled,  the  united  friends  sat  down,  to  rest  on  the 
green  turf,  and  to  talk  of  the  hopeful  future. 

"  Now,  we  are  all  anxious  to  know,  Edward  Dever 
ell,"  said  Hugh,  "  if  you  have  got  your  house  built,  or 
if  you  are  all  dwelling  in  tents ;  and,  above  all,  what 
kind  of  place  is  Daisy  Grange  ?  " 

"I  have  got  my  house  built,  Hugh,"  answered  he, 


430  THE    DAISIES. 

"and  Daisy  Grange  I  will  leave  undescribed,  only 
assuring  you  that  it  will  be  completely  a  paradise  in  my 
eyes  when  I  see  you  all  there,  which  I  trust  will  be 
before  many  days  are  passed." 

"  And  the  daisies  ?  "  inquired  Margaret. 

"  The  daisies  were  at  first  coy  and  capricious  in  their 
new  home,"  answered  he,  "  but  finally  they  have  yielded 
to  care  and  perseverance,  and  consented  to  adorn  my 
small  lawn,  in  sufficient  numbers  to  justify  me  in  re- 
taining the  dear  name  for  my  much  beloved  home." 

"  And  what  does  Emma  do  in  the  wilderness  ? " 
asked  Hugh. 

"  She  cultivates  flowers,"  replied  Deverell,  "  sews  on 
buttons,  and  performs  other  needful  female  occupations, 
plays,  sings,  reads,  and  is  not  ashamed  to  assist  her 
mother,  and  Susan  the  dairy-maid,  to  make  the  butter 
and  cheese." 

"  Is  that  Susan  Raine  ?  "  asked  Margaret,  anxiously, 
for  she  saw  Wilkins  looking  at  Mr.  Deverell  with  much 
agitation.  "  Is  that  the  pretty,  modest  Susan,  that  was 
our  fellow-voyager  ?  " 

"  It  is  the  same  girl,"  answered  Deverell.  "  Poor 
Susan,  we  are  all  very  sorry  for  her ;  she  had  to  endure 
a  grievous  disappointment,  for  she  had  taken  the  oppor- 
tunity of  accompanying  us,  as  our  servant,  in  order  that 
she  might  join  her  betrothed,  a  wild  fellow  that  had 
been  transported  for  some  venial  offence;  and  when 
we  reached  Melbourne,  and  instituted  the  regular  in- 
quiry, we  found  the  man  had  made  his  escape  in  an 
India  vessel,  with  some  vile  wretches  who  had  been 
working  with  him.  I  fear  he  is  wholly  unworthy  of 
the  good  girl,  who  still  mourns  so  deeply  for  him." 

"  He  's  nought  but  a  reg'lar  scoundrel,"  said  Wilkins, 


SUSAN'S  CONSTANCY.  431 

impetuously,  "he  is;  and  she'd  sarved  him  right  if 
she  'd  gone  and  wed  another ;  that 's  what  she  has  done 
likely,  sir?" 

"  That  is  what  I  certainly  wished  her  to  do,"  said 
Deverell,  looking  surprised  at  the  free  interference  of 
Wilkins ;  "  but  the  silly  girl  is  still  haunted  by  the  wild 
hope  of  reclaiming  the  unfortunate  man  who  was  the 
companion  of  her  childhood.  She  has  refused  the 
young  herdsman  who  is  so  kindly  attended  by  Miss 
Margaret ;  a  worthy  fellow,  and  has  determined  to  re- 
main unmarried  for  the  sake  of  the  convict  who  has  so 
cruelly  neglected  her." 

"  That 's  like  my  bonnie  true-hearted  lass,"  said  Wil- 
kins, much  excited.  "  Scamp  as  I  were  to  lose  her ! 
But  now  please,  Miss  Margaret,  to  put  in  a  word  like 
for  me.  Tell  t'  master  I  'se  nought  like  so  bad  but  that 
there 's  some  hopes  of  me,  if  Sue  will  take  up  wi'  me ; 
but  how  can  I  look  for 't  ?  " 

Margaret  undertook  to  explain  Wilkins's  position  to 
Deverell,  and  to  plead  for  him  to  Susan ;  and  the  rough 
convict  turned  away  with  a  tear  in  his  eye,  as  the 
recollection  of  youthful  and  innocent  days  shone  through 
the  mist  of  evil  deeds  that  had  darkened  his  mature 
life. 

Mr.  Deverell  was  pleased  with  the  story  of  Wilkins, 
and  as  he  would  be  far  removed  from  temptation  at  the 
settlement,  and  would  be  carefully  watched  by  his  good 
friends,  he  promised  to  bestow  Susan  on  him  ;  and  now 
they  prepared  to  break  up  the  encampment,  and  to  pur- 
sue their  journey  under  pleasant  auspices. 

"  But  before  we  set  out,"  said  Mr.  Deverell,  "  it  will 
be  necessary  to  come  to  some  arrangement  about  our 
troublesome  prisoners.  We  must  hold  a  court  of  jus- 


432  A    COURT    OF    JUSTICE. 

tice,  as  imposing  as  circumstances  will  permit,  and 
endeavor  to  alarm  them,  and  make  a  salutary  impres 
sion  on  them." 

"  There  is  a  handsome  rocky  throne  for  the  bench," 
said  Hugh.  "  Please  to  ascend  to  the  elevation,  Mr. 
Judge  Deverell,  and  look  as  grave  as  you  possibly  can ; 
papa  will  sit  by  you  in  the  character  of  Mercy,  to  miti- 
gate the  severity  of  Justice.  Arthur  and  Gerald  must 
take  that  hill,  and  Jack  and  I  will  remain  here  to  repre- 
sent counsel.  We  will  not  take  the  trouble  to  call  a 
jury,  because  I  know  my  lord  judge  has  made  up  his 
mind  about  the  sentence.  Now,  all  you  people  stand 
round,  and  leave  a  passage  for  the  police  to  bring  up 
the  prisoners.  Will  this  do,  my  lord  ?  " 

"  I  am  content,  Hugh,  provided  you  all  look  serious," 
answered  Deverell.  "  You  must  make  the  most  of  our 
strength,  and  display  your  arms  to  advantage.  With 
these  ignorant  natives,  in  their  present  condition,  intimi- 
dation is  the  only  mode  of  subjection.  I  hope  the  time 
is  not  very  distant  when  milder  measures  may  be  used 
to  win  them  to  civilization.  We  are  commencing  the 
work  by  educating  the  children." 

The  glen  was  first  cleared  by  sending  the  stock-keep- 
ers forward  with  the  cattle,  as  their  progress  must 
necessarily  be  slow ;  then,  one  after  another,  the  police 
released  the  trembling,  crouching  savages  from  the 
caves,  and  brought  them  before  the  judge.  The  poor 
wretches,  at  the  sight  of  the  array  of  guns  and  spears 
before  them,  endured  all  the  terrors  of  death.  Dever- 
ell, who  had  acquired  some  facility  in  speaking  their 
language,  made  a  long  address  to  the  terrified  men ;  re- 
proaching them  with  their  folly  and  ingratitude  in  rob- 
bing him,  who  had  never  refused  to  assist  them  in  their 


THE    REPRIEVED    NATIVES.  433 

days  of  destitution,  and  who  earnestly  desired  their 
welfare.  He  warned  them  of  the  danger  of  dealing 
with  the  bushrangers,  who  always  deceived  them,  and 
of  frequenting  the  bush  taverns  to  obtain  the  poisonous 
liquor  which  would  in  the  end  destroy  their  whole  nation. 
He  threatened  them  with  instant  death  if  they  dared  to 
transgress  again ;  and  then,  "satisfied  with  the  fright  he 
had  given  them,  he  relieved  them  from  their  misery  by 
giving  them  leave  to  depart ;  a  permission  which  they 
did  not  delay  a  moment  to  make  use  of;  but  sprung  up 
the  rocks,  and  speedily  disappeared  to  seek  the  conceal- 
ment of  the  bush. 

There  remained  now  only  the  four  vile  bushrangers 
to  dispose  of;  but  these  men,  all,  escaped  convicts,  Mr. 
Deverell  declined  to  punish,  proposing  to  commit  them 
to  the  charge  of  four  of  the  mounted  police,  who  were 
to  conduct  them,  or,  as  these  officials  appropriately 
expressed  it,  to  drive  them  to  Sydney,  and  there  deliver 
them  into  the  hands  of  justice. 

These  ruffians  were  therefore  brought  from  their  re- 
spective dungeons,  and  manacled  two  together;  their 
persons  were  searched,  lest  they  should  have  any  con- 
cealed arms  ;  and  their  legs  were  then  released  from  the 
fetters.  Peter,  who  obstinately  refused  to  submit  to  the 
incumbrance  of  clothing,  required  no  search,  and  was 
coupled  to  one  of  his  bushranging  friends,  loudly  show- 
ering curses  on  his  conquerors. 

"  Do  you  mean  us  to  set  out  fasting  with  these  malig- 
nant scoundrels  ?  "  he  yelled  out.  "  Ye  're  fine  Chris- 
tians, to  hunger  folks.  And  ye  know  as  well  as  we  do 
these  greedy  black  rascals  will  prig  all  our  rations  on  t' 
road." 

Mr.  Deverell  did  know  that  the  black  police  were 
37 


434  THE    ESCAPE    OF    PETER. 

scandalously  harsh  with  their  white  prisoners,  and  he 
therefore  ordered  that  these  wretched  criminals  should 
sit  down  for  half  an  hour,  and  be  supplied  with  a  plenti- 
ful breakfast  of  cold  meat,  which  they  began  to  devour 
ravenously,  watched  curiously  by  Ruth,  who  concealed 
herself  in  a  thicket,  that  she  might  look  in  safety  at 
these  terrible  bushrangers.  All  the  rest  of  the  party, 
glad  to  avoid  the  sight  of  the  wretches,  wandered  off  to 
another  little  glen  which  opened  from  their  encampment, 
except  Mr.  Deverell  and  Arthur,  who  had  called  the 
police  to  one  side  to  give  them  a  strict  charge  to  be 
watchful  and  determined,  but  at  the  same  time  to  treat 
their  prisoners  with  humanity. 

While  they  were  conversing,  they  were  startled  and 
alarmed  by  a  scream  from  Ruth,  who,  they  believed,  had 
left  the  encampment  with  the  rest  of  the  party,  and  on 
turning  round  they  saw,  to  their  great  vexation,  the 
ranger  who  had  been  linked  with  Peter  galloping  off  on 
the  horse  of  one  of  the  police,  which,  ready  for  starting, 
had  been  tied  to  a  tree  near  the  prisoners.  The  police 
mounted  the  other  three  horses  that  were  ready,  and 
speedily  pursued  the  fugitive ;  while  Deverell  and  Ar- 
thur went  up  in  haste,  and  found,  to  their  extreme  mor- 
tification, that  the  villain  Peter  was  also  missing.  The 
remainder  of  the  party,  recalled  from  their  ramble  by 
the  shriek  of  Ruth,  had  now  joined  them  ;  and  when  the 
agitated  girl  was  able  to  give  an  account  of  the  occur- 
rence, she  said :  — 

"  He  reached  out,  and  took  a  cloak  off  t'  horse,  and 
groped  in  t*  pockets  till  he  fetched  out  summut,  maybe 
a  key,  for  I  heard  a  click ;  and  then  Peter  jumped  up 
and  laid  hands  on  t'  horse ;  but  t*  other  fellow  was  sharp 
after  hinij  and  pushed  him  off»  and  loped  atop  on  his 


THE    ESCAPE    OF   PETER.  435 

back  hisself,  and  galloped  off  like  mad,  and  left  Peter 
standing.  Oh  master !  how  awful  he  swore  and  stamped 
about,  and  took  off  right  up  to  me,  and  I  shrieked  out ; 
and  then  he  scrambled  up  yon  wood."  And  Ruth 
pointed  to  the  precipitous  wood-covered  wall  of  the 
glen. 


CHAPTER    XXXIII. 

A  Chase  over  the  Mountains.  —  The  Frightful  End  of  the  Bush- 
ranger.—  Ruth's  Opinion.  —  The  Cereopsis.  —  A  Description  of 
the  Colony.—  The  Dingo.  —  The  Cattle  at  Home.  —  The  Park.  — 
The  Arrival  at  Daisy  Grange. 

THEY  had  not  time  to  consider  what  steps  to  take, 
when  Wilkins  cried  out,  "  Yon  's  the  rogue  ; "  and  they 
caught  a  glimpse  of  the  painted  figure  of  the  fugitive 
among  the  trees,  at  a  height  which  seemed  almost  im- 
possible to  reach,  for  they  all  considered  this  precipitous 
rock  inaccessible. 

"  We  must  not  let  the  villain  escape  us,"  cried  Jack, 
"  or  he  will  be  sure  to  lead  more  poor  wretches  astray. 
Some  of  you  follow  me."  And,  without  further  delay, 
he  caught  hold  of  the  branches  of  the  lowest  tree,  and 
swung  himself  up,  grasping  the  overhanging  boughs, 
and  forcing  his  way  through  the  entangled  bushes  with 
toil  and  danger,  while  Ruth  continued  to  cry  out  like  a 
distracted  creature. 

It  was  strange,  that  in  this  dilemma  the  usual  cool 
presence  of  mind  of  the  fearless  and  determined  ruffian 
seemed  to  forsake  him.  If  he  had  sought  the  labyrin- 
thine passages  of  the  widely-spread  mountain,  he  might 
easily  have  bewildered  his  pursuers  ;  but  he  continually 
exposed  himself  to  observation  through  the  trees  on  the 
mountain-side. 

Wilkins  and  one  of  the  herdsmen  of  Mr.  Deverell 
soon  followed  Jack,  their  whole  mind  bent  on  capturing 


THE    FEARFUL    ABYSS.  437 

this  treacherous  and  sanguinary  villain.  Behind  them, 
urged  by  curiosity,  anxiety  for  her  brother,  and  detes- 
tation of  Black  Peter,  the  excited  girl  Ruth,  notwith- 
standing the  efforts  of  her  friends,  plunged  through  the 
bushes  to  follow  them,  shouting  wildly  to  her  brother 
when  she  caught  glimpses  of  the  spectral  figure  of  the 
convict,  with  the  red  lines  painted  on  his  body. 

Onward  up  that  tedious  ascent  the  practised  bush- 
ranger proceeded,  not  even  pausing  for  breath ;  and 
his  half-exhausted  pursuers  began  to  fear  he  would 
escape  them ;  but,  after  half  an  hour's  struggle,  a  light 
gleamed  through  the  trees.  They  believed  they  were 
coming  to  a  more  open  space,  when,  rather  than  allow 
the. convict  to  escape,  the  men  resolved  to  use  their 
guns.  The  next  minute  they  emerged  from  the  wood, 
and  the  whole  party  shrunk  back,  astonished  at  the 
magnificent  scene  that  lay  before  them.  A  few  feet 
from  the  wood  a  vast  abyss  opened.  The  eye  could  not 
penetrate  its  depths :  it  appeared  fathomless  and  dark, 
for  on  all  sides  it  was  bounded  by  the  perpendicular 
cliff  which  descended  from  the  verge  of  the  forest. 

For  a  moment  only  could  the  dizzy  sight  regard  that 
teriffic  descent,  from  which  only  three  feet  of  solid 
earth  separated  them  ;  and  they  clung  to  the  trees,  as 
they  looked  round  to  search  for  the  fugitive.  To  their 
great  horror,  they  beheld  the  desperate  man,  making 
his  way  along  the  narrow  hem  of  earth,  supported  by  a 
spear  he  had  caught  up  on  one  hand,  and  holding  by 
the  trees  on  the  other,  and  apparently  seeking  for  a 
convenient  spot  where  he  might  again  descend  into  the 
wood.  He  stopped  and  turned  round,  and  observing 
his  pursuers,  who  feared  even  to  use  their  guns  in  such 

a  perilous  position,  the  vindictive  wretch  poised  and 
37* 


438  THE    END    OF    PETER. 

flung  the  spear.  But  before  it  had  even  reached  its 
destination,  a  yell  of  mortal  terror  was  heard  ;  the  shelf 
of  rock  on  which  he  stood,  gave  way  under  the  impetu- 
osity of  his  movement ;  and  the  doomed  wretch  was 
hurled  into  that  vast  space,  beyond  the  reach  of  human 
eyes,  his  shrieks  of  horror  growing  fainter  as  he  sank 
into  death.  While  at  the  same  time,  from  the  tree 
which  he  had  grasped,  and  which  shook  as  he  fell,  rose 
a  flight  of  black  cockatoos,  mocking  with  their  loud 
strange  cries  his  fearful  fate. 

"  Lord  have  mercy  on  him  ! "  exclaimed  Jack,  cover- 
ing his  face,  and  struck  with  awe. 

"It's  a  judgment,  man,"  said  Wilkins.  "Just  see 
how  this  poor  fellow  is  bleeding  with  the  rogue's  last 
will  and  deed." 

The  spear  of  Peter  had  entered  the  breast  of  the 
herdsman,  who  was  bleeding  profusely.  Wilkins  drew 
out  the  weapon,  and  Jack,  seeing  Ruth  at  his  side,  who 
had  succeeded  in  reaching  him  in  time  to  see  the  catas- 
trophe, despatched  her  in  haste  to  the  encampment,  to 
send  aid  for  the  wounded  man. 

Fearful  of  looking  any  longer  at  that  dark  and  terri- 
ble grave  of  the  sinful  wretch,  the  girl  tumbled  down 
through  the  steep  wood,  and  rushing  up  to  Mr.  Mayburn 
and  Margaret,  said,  "  He  's  carried  off  alive  !  Them 
bad  spirits,  —  them !  them  !  —  have  flown  away  with 
Black  Peter  ;  "  and  the  distracted  girl  positively  shriek- 
ed as  she  pointed  to  a  pair  of  harmless  black  cockatoos 
perched  on  a  fig-tree,  which  were  curiously  peering 
down  on  the  "strange  creatures  below;  and  most  as- 
suredly the  coal-black  plumage,  lofty  crest,  and  fan  tail, 
striped  with  bars  of  fiery  scarlet,  gave  to  the  birds  an 
unearthly  and  fiend-like  appearance. 


THE    WARNING   JUDGMENT.  439 

*  Can  anybody  extract  sense  from  the  exclamations 
of  this  wild  girl  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Mayburn,  much  distressed. 
"Ascertain,  Margaret,  how  the  wretched  man  has  es- 
caped." 

"  I  tell  ye,"  continued  Ruth,  with  decision,  "  I  seed 
them  black  creaters,  wi'  my  own  eyes,  take  him  up, 
and  flee  away  wi'  him,  down  Into  a  black  pit ;  and  poor 
Tom  Atkinson  's  hit  wi'  a  spear,  and  ye  're  to  clamber 
up  t'  wood  to  doctor  him." 

On  the  whole,  the  deduction  drawn  from  Ruth's  in- 
coherent narrative  was,  that  the  presence  of  some  of 
the  party  was  needed;  and  Mr.  Deverell  and  Mr. 
Mayburn,  supplied  with  cold  water  and  linen  bandages, 
set  out  to  climb  through  the  wood,  on  the  beaten  track 
of  the  pursued  and  the  pursuers  ;  but  before  they  had 
half  ascended,  they  met  with  Wilkins  and  Jack,  bearing 
the  wounded  man  with  difficulty  through  the  matted 
and  steep  wood.  When  they  were  relieved  by  addi- 
tional assistance,  they  soon  reached  the  glen,  and  satis- 
fied the  anxiety  of  the  perplexed  family  by  a  correct 
recital  of  the  awful  fate  of  the  villanous  bushranger. 

"  It 's  just  what  might  have  come  to  me,  and  I  'd 
been  but  reet  sarved,"  said  Wilkins,  "  if  it  had  n'  t  been 
for  ye  all.  I  reckon  it  pleased  God  to  send  ye,  just  o' 
purpose  to  bring  round  a  good-to-naught  chap,  as  not 
a  soul  else  would  notish,  or  hauld  out  a  finger  to  save. 
Poor  reprobate  !  Ye  ken  a  deal  of  things,  Miss  Mar- 
get  ;  can  ye  say  what  Peter  was  seeing  afore  him,  when 
he  yelled  out,  fleeing  down  into  that  black  hole  ?  " 

"  God  be  merciful  to  the  sinner ! "  said  Margaret. 
"  It  is  not  for  us,  Wilkins,  to  speak  of  that  which  God 
hides  from  us ;  but  rather  to  prepare,  that  we  may  be 
ready  for  a  sudden  call  to  judgment." 


440  THE    HOME    RIVER. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  police  returned  with  the 
fugitive,  whom  they  had  overtaken  and  captured.  He 
was  now  secured  with  the  other  two  rangers,  and  Peter 
being  disposed  of,  there  was  nothing  to  prevent  the 
police  from  proceeding  with  their  prisoners  to  Sydney  ; 
and  the  guards  and  captives  set  out  on  their  long  jour- 
ney, leaving  the  united  party  very  thankful  for  their 
separation  from  the  wretched  delinquents.  The  next 
morning,  after  praying  for  a  blessing  on  their  expedi- 
tion, the  happy  friends  set  forward  cheerfully,  now 
safely  guided  by  Edward  Deverell,  and  hoping,  before 
long,  to  reach  the  long-desired  haven  of  peace  and  rest. 

But  many  a  day  of  toil  and  anxiety  still  succeeded  : 
the  privations  of  the  barren  and  dry  desert,  the  perils 
of  rude  mountain-passes,  and  the  fording  deep  and  foam- 
ing rivers,  besides  the  subtle  and  vindictive  pursuit  of 
various  unfriendly  tribes  of  natives.  At  length  they 
attained  in  safety  the  fertile  banks  of  a  broad  and  rapid 
river,  which  Mr.  Deverell  and  his  followers  greeted 
with  shouts  of  joy. 

"My  good  Mr.  Mayburn,"  said  Edward  Deverell, 
"I  call  on  you  now  to  offer  up  a  thanksgiving  to  Him 
who  has  led  us  in  safety  through  the  wilderness.  This 
river  is  our  guide  and  highway  ;  it  flows  on  to  our  own 
much-loved  home ;  it  is  the  blessing  and  ornament, 
dear  Margaret,  of  Daisy  Grange." 

All  joined  with  Christian  earnestness  in  a  thanksgiv- 
ing for  the  mercies  which  even  the  lately  awakened  and 
reformed  criminals  could  appreciate  and  understand  ;  and 
Edward  Deverell  rejoiced  to  see  that  the  two  convicts, 
Wilkins  and  Davy,  would  not  be  a  dangerous  addition 
to  his  little  Christian  community. 

"  Now,  my  dear  friends,"  said  Edward  Deverell,  "  we 


THE    CEREOPSIS.  441 

may  trust  that  our  progress  may  be  unimpeded.  This 
fertile  soil,  watered  by  the  river,  will  restore  our  en- 
feebled cattle ;  then  we  shall  have  milk  with  our  flour 
cakes,  which,  prepared  by  the  skilful  hand  of  Jenny, 
disdain  fellowship  with  the  heavy  '  damper '  of  the 
Australian  traveller.  If  this  abundant  food  does  not 
satisfy  us,  the  trees  will  give  us  birds,  and  the  river  fish, 
to  diversify  our  diet.  Ought  we  not  to  rejoice  ?  " 

"  If  you  please,  Mr.  Deverell,"  said  Jenny,  "  yon 's  a 
bonnie  flock  of  geese ;  could  n't  ye  get  us  one  for  a 
roast  ?  " 

"  We  must  have  more  than  one  for  our  large  party, 
Jenny,"  said  Deverell,  laughing.  "  Come,  boys,  let  us 
have  a  shot  at  Jenny's  geese,  and  secure  one  specially 
for  Mr.  Mayburn's  new  museum." 

Delighted  with  the  prospect  of  sport,  the  boys  were 
soon  ready,  and  returned  from  the  banks  of  the  river 
with  two  pair  of  these  large  birds.  Edward  Deverell 
held  out  one  of  them  to  Jenny,  saying,  "  Now,  my  good 
woman,  can  you  tell  me  what  this  fowl  is  ?  " 

"  A  gray  goose,  Mr.  Deverell,  sure  enough,"  answered 
Jenny.  Then  regarding  it  closely,  she  added,  "  but  it 
has  a  queer  short  neb,  sir;  it's  like  all  things  in  this 
country,  it 's  just  unnat'ral." 

"  Nurse,  it  is  no  more  a  goose  than  you  are,"  said 
Hugh  ;  "  it  is  rara  avis,  papa,  that  is,  —  a  bird  of  Aus- 
tralia." 

"I  recognize  it  with  delight,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn, 
"from  the  description  of  Latham  and  later  ornitholo- 
gists, who  class  it  as  a  new  genus ;  and  from  the  curious 
cere  which  envelopes  the  base  of  the  bill,  he  names  it 
Cereopsis.  Still  it  belongs  to  the  swimming  birds, 


442  ORNITHOLOGY. 

though  the  legs  are  naked  above  the  joint,  and  the  mem- 
brane between  the  toes  does  not  form  the  web  foot.  It 
is,  therefore,  less  fitted  for  the  water  than  the  goose  or 
swan,  and  is  more  strictly  a  wader,  living,  not  on  fish, 
but  vegetable  food.  In  fact,  it  is  a  much  handsomer 
bird  than  the  goose,  and  I  would  gladly  preserve  it,  if  I 
had  the  means." 

"  You  will  have  means  and  opportunity  at  the  Deverell 
Cation,  my  dear  Mr.  Mayburn,"  said  Edward.  "  My 
orother  Charles  will  supply  the  means,  and  assist  you  to 
form  a  museum ;  and  Emma  has  domesticated  a  flock  of 
Miese  birds,  which  in  common  parlance  are  known  as 
tfie  short-billed  geese  ;  and  I  can  assure  you  the  flesh  is 
most  delicate,  very  unlike  that  of  the  common  water- 
fowls which  live  on  fish." 

"  I  rejoice  much,  Edward  Deverell,"  said  Mr.  May- 
burn,  "  that  you  concur  with  me  in  admiring  the  works 
of  nature,  —  a  taste  which  I  have  endeavored  to  implant 
in  my  children.  I  remember  the  words  of  a  clever 
writer.  l  To  look  on  the  creation  with  an  eye  of  interest 
and  feeling,  must  be  ever  acceptable  to  the  Creator. 
To  trace  out  the  several  properties  of  his  works,  and 
to  study  with  diligence  and  humility  their  laws,  their 
uses,  and  operations,  is  an  employment  worthy  the 
immortal  mind  of  man  ;  since  it  is  one  of  those  studies 
which  we  may  reasonably  hope  will  survive  beyond  the 
grave.' " 

"  How  delighted  I  am  that  dear  little  Emmy  is  tak- 
ing the  first  steps  of  study  in  ornithology,  by  setting  up  a 
poultry-yard,"  said  Hugh.  "We  had  many  disputes 
about  waste  of  time  in  such  useless  pursuits,  in  which  I 
did  not  escape  without  much  contumely  for  my  bird 


RUTH,   A    POULTRY-MAID.  443 

lore.  My  generous  retaliation  shall  be  to  improve  her 
collection.  I  will  get  her  the  black  swan,  the  talegalla, 
the  apteryx  ..." 

"  And  the  emu  and  ornithorhynchus  would  look  well 
in  the  poultry-yard,  Hugh,"  said  Gerald,  laughing. 

"  That  would  be  a  great  error,  my  dear  boys,"  said 
Mr.  Mayburn.  "  The  habits  of  the  ornithorhynchus  are 
directly  opposed  to  the  domestic  arrangements  of  the 
poultry-yard :  it  is  not  even  a  fowl ;  it  is  an  unclassed 
animal,  of  burrowing  and  diving  propensities,  and  would 
be  a  troublesome,  if  not  a  dangerous,  inmate  among  do- 
mestic fowls." 

"  I  will  leave  it  to  Hugh  and  Emma  to  arrange  the 
foreigners  as  they  may  judge  best,"  said  Mr.  Deverell ; 
"  but  I  know  all  our  English  fowls  are  furiously  national, 
and  would  resent  the  introduction  of  strangers,  even  to 
bloodshed.  Even  the  civil  wars  of  the  community  tax 
the  patience  of  Emma  and  her  handmaid  Susan  greatly ; 
and  she  has  threatened  to  reduce  their  numbers,  now 
become  enormous." 

"  I  can  supply  her  with  an  assistant  poultry-maid," 
said  Margaret ;  "  my  poor  Ruth  is  devotedly  attached 
to  fowls,  and  can  manage  them  better  than  she  can  do 
any  thing  else  in  the  world.  Ruth,  would  you  not  like 
to  be  Mr.  Deverell's  poultry-woman  ?  " 

"  I  would  like  to  be  amang  'em,  bonnie  creaters ! " 
answered  Ruth,  with  great  joy,  u  if  you  be  there  Miss 
Marget,  and  if  they  be  cocks  and  hens ;  and  if  them 
black  fellows  will  not  run  off  wi'  them." 

'*  Our  black  neighbors  are  all  tame,  Ruth,"  answered 
Mr.  Deverell.  "  We  employ  those  who  can  be  taught 
to  work,  clothe  the  women,  and  teach  the  children ; 
and  in  times  of  scarcity  or  sickness,  we  feed  and  attend 


444  THE    COLONY   AS    IT    WILL    BE. 

them.  As  far  as  their  ignorant  and  dull  nature  will 
allow,  we  have  reason  to  think  that  gratitude  or  policy 
would  prevent  them  from  injuring  us  or  our  property." 

"  But  the  bushrangers,"  said  Margaret ;  "  are  you 
not  ever  in  fear  of  the  crafty,  vindictive  bushrangers  ?  " 

"  During  our  journey,"  answered  Mr.  Deverell,  "  it  is 
necessary  that  we  should  be  watchful ;  but  our  black 
police  have  reduced  the  number  of  these  vagabonds 
greatly,  and  our  party  is  too  formidable  to  be  openly 
defied.  We  must  necessarily  pass,  now  and  then,  one 
of  those  infamous,  lonely,  road-side  bush-taverns,  as 
they  are  called,  at  which  these  villains  are  in  the  habit 
of  congregating,  that  they  may  exchange  their  plunder 
for  spirits  and  tobacco  with  the  men  at  the  station,  who 
then  forward  the  cattle  to  Sydney  or  to  the  gold-dig- 
gings. But  our  police-followers  are  well  acquainted 
with  these  detestable  stations,  and  are  always  prepared 
for  any  assault.  Above  all,  dear  Margaret,  we  have  a 
precious  charge,  and  think  ourselves  a  band  of  brave 
fellows  ;  every  day  diminishes  our  danger,  for  it  brings 
us  nearer  to  our  own  inhabited  grounds,  where  the 
villains  might  venture  to  plunder  secretly,  but  would 
certainly  not  dare  to  show  themselves." 

"  But  are  your  retainers  spread  about  the  estate  ?  " 
said  Hugh.  "  I  thought  you  intended  to  build  a  town." 

"  I  scarcely  aim  so  high,  Hugh,"  replied  Deverell. 
"  My  stock-keepers  are  scattered  over  the  cleared  land 
in  huts,  to  look  after  the  cattle.  I  live  in  my  castle, 
like  a  feudal  lord,  surrounded  by  my  vassals,  who  have 
erected  rude  temporary  huts.  But  if  you  will  all  agree 
to  settle  round  me,  we  will  really  found  a  colony.  I 
will  make  an  application  to  purchase,  instead  of  leasing, 
my  immense  tract  of  land.  We  will  divide  and  culti- 


THE    RANZ    DES    VACHES.  445 

vate  it,  which  I  never  could  do  alone  ;  and  we  will  be- 
gin to  build  a  handsome  village,  or  perhaps  two  villages 
—  one  named  Mayburn,  and  the  other  Deverell." 

"  Please,  sir,  have  you  plenty  of  timber  ? "  asked 
Jack,  roused  at  the  prospect  of  work. 

"  You  will  see  my  woods  and  forests  soon,  Jack," 
answered  Mr.  Deverell.  "Then  I  have  inexhaustible 
quarries  of  stone  in  the  mountains,  and  some  good  quar- 
rymen  and  stonecutters  on  my  establishment.  We  will 
have  a  regular  English  village,  with  a  green  for  sports, 
and  pleasant  gardens  to  the  cottages." 

For  a  few  days  more  they  travelled  pleasantly  over 
the  grassy  turf ;  then  they  came  on  almost  impenetra- 
ble brushwood  ;  and  as  this  formidable  obstacle  to  their 
progress  would  require  vigor  to  overcome  it,  they  en- 
camped to  spend  the  night,  and  commence  their  fatigue 
with  the  morning  light.  But  they  found  conversation 
and  repose  equally  impossible,  from  the  disturbance 
caused  by  the  restless  movements  and  incessant  bellow- 
ing of  the  cattle,  which  struggled  to  escape  from  the 
pens  in  which  their  attendants  had  confined  them. 
Hugh  went  up  to  them  with  some  curiosity,  to  know 
what  was  the  cause  of  this  unusual  excitement  amongst 
the  quiet  creatures.  The  herdsmen  were  all  grinning 
and  rubbing  their  hands  with  great  glee. 

"  Well,  Patrick,"  said  Deverell  to  one  of  the  men, 
"  what  is  the  jest  that  you  seern  to  enjoy  so  much  ?  " 

"  It 's  the  bastes,  master,"  answered  the  man  exult- 
ingly  ;  "  they  know  where  they  are,  the  craters  !  Don't 
they  smell  the  smell  of  their  own  comrades,  sinsible  dar- 
lings !  And  it  is  n't  the  brush  they  'd  mind  if  we  were 
giving  them  lave  to  it.  Isn't  it  a  short  cut  they'd 
make  to  come  at  them  as  is  of  their  own  blood  !  True 
38 


446  THE    DINGO. 

old  Irish  they  are,  and  illegant  bastes.  Arrah,  did  n't 
them  rogues  see  that  when  they  came  kidnapping  ?  and 
did  n't  they  choose  them  out,  in  regard  that  there  were 
no  bastes  to  be  seen  like  them  !  Bad  luck  to  the  rappa- 
reens ! " 

"  Can  it  be  possible,"  asked  Margaret,  "  that  we  are 
really  so  near  to  Daisy  Grange  that  the  animals  scent 
it?" 

"  We  are  a  long  day's  journey  yet  from  Daisy 
Grange,"  answered  Deverell  ;  "  but  it  is  true  that  we 
are  not  far  from  the  borders  of  my  extensive  estate. 
This  formidable  thorny  brushwood  forms,  in  fact,  the 
boundary  and  defence  on  this  side,  neither  easy  nor  de- 
sirable to  penetrate.  A  very  large  portion  of  the  inte- 
rior of  my  land  is  not  only  uncultivated,  but  is  even  un- 
known to  me.  We  take  care,  however,  to  have  cattle- 
stations  and  hut-keepers  round  the  boundaries,  that  our 
rights  may  be  recognized  and  preserved  ;  and  doubtless 
these  weary  wanderers  have  been  stolen  from  one  of  the 
border  stations,  and  now  scent  with  great  satisfaction 
their  old  companions,  and  their  old  quiet,  luxurious 
homes." 

"  Then  I  suppose  we  may  conclude,"  said  Gerald, 
"  that  if  we  understood  the  vaccine  gamut,  we  should 
hear  that  big  old  red  cow  bellowing  '  Home  !  sweet 
home ! '  And  don't  I  wish  we  could  join  her,  for  I 
don't  like  the  look  of  that  ugly  scrub  we  shall  have  to 
carry  our  horses  through." 

"  Not  altogether  ugly,"  said  Margaret ;  "  look  at  this 
curious  and  interesting  Banksia,  with  its  stiff  yellow 
robe ;  the  white  star-like  blossoms  of  this  shrub,  which 
resembles  our  myrtle ;  and  here  is  our  old  friend  the 
tea-shrub." 


THE    LAST    DAY    OP    DANGER.  447 

"  Which  Jenny  will  have  to  relinquish  now,"  said 
Deverell,  "  for  the  real  tea  of  China,  of  which  we  have 
a  goodly  store.  But,  Jem,  or  some  of  you  men  over 
there,  be  pleased  to  fire  a  shot  or  two  to  chase  away 
those  intolerable  noisy  dingoes,  which,  doubtless,  like 
the  ogre,  smell  fresh  meat,  and  would  like  to  make  a 
foray  on  our  game." 

"  Let  us  shoot  a  dingo,  Edward,"  said  Hugh ;  "  I 
should  like  to  look  at  the  fellow  closely." 

"  It  is  scarcely  consistent  with  humanity,"  answered 
Deverell,  "  to  destroy  an  animal  that  can  be  of  no  use 
to  us ;  but  we  have  an  excuse  in  the  wolfish  character 
of  the  dingo,  which  destroys  our  sheep  in  numbers,  if 
not  closely  watched ;  and  nothing  affords  my  shep- 
herds and  herdsmen  more  gratification  than  to  trap  or 
shoot  one  of  these  marauders."  Hugh  had  the  gratifi- 
cation of  shooting  the  dingo,  or  warragle,  as  Baldabella 
named  it,  and  bringing  it  in  for  Arthur  and  his  father 
to  inspect.  Margaret  retired  in  disgust,  the  intolera- 
ble smell  of  the  fierce-looking  little  animal  was  so  offen- 
sive. 

"  From  its  destructive  habits,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  "  I 
should  have  expected  to  see  a  larger  animal ;  but  of  its 
wolfish  ferocity  there  seems  no  doubt.  It  is  remarkable 
that  it  is,  unlike  the  land  quadrupeds  yet  found  in  Aus- 
tralia, carnivorous,  and  not  marsupial ;  thus  confirming 
the  theory  that  the  race  of  dogs  is  to  be  found  in  every 
known  region  of  the  world.  This  dingo  is  a  degraded 
representative  of  the  noble  animal,  crafty,  bloodthirsty, 
and  untamable.  I  am  satisfied  with  seeing  this  speci- 
men, but  I  cannot  admire  the  creature." 

Before  the  first  gleam  of  day,  while  the  moon  yet 
lighted  up  the  heavens,  the  impatient  travellers  set  out 


448  ALL    WELL. 

to  cross  the  bush ;  and  for  more  than  two  hours  the 
long  cavalcade  wound  with  toil  and  difficulty  through 
the  tangled  thorny  bush.  .At  length  the  lowing  of  other 
cattle  than  their  own  greeted  their  ears,  and  the  fresher 
breeze  that  came  over  the  cleared  ground  announced 
that  they  had  passed  the  boundary,  and  were  now  act- 
ually entering  the  domain  of  Mr.  Deverell.  In  a  short 
time  the  mingled  and  familiar  cries  of  the  drovers  and 
their  charge  roused  the  first  stock-man  in  his  hut,  who 
rushed  out  in  great  joy  to  welcome  the  return  of  the 
expedition. 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir  ! "  said  the  man,  "  I  see  they  've  picked 
out  and  made  an  end  of  the  choicest  of  the  stock ;  it  '& 
like  their  ways ; "  and  he  grumbled  out  his  wishes  that 
certain  evil  consequences  might  attend  their  unlawful 
feasts  on  his  chosen  favorites,  and  concluded  by  caress- 
ing those  which  had  happily  escaped  being  devoured 
by  the  robbers.  He  then  proposed  to  send  forward  one 
of  the  shepherds  to  announce  the  good  news ;  but  the 
travellers,  now  relieved  from  the  charge  of  the  cattle, 
and  having  passed  through  the  greatest  difficulties  of 
their  journey,  agreed  to  proceed  forward  without  delay, 
and  announce  in  their  own  persons  the  success  of  the 
expedition  at  head-quarters. 

They  crossed  a  vast  tract  of  wild  and  beautiful 
forest  ground,  which  was  still  uncleared,  but  at  this 
season  bright  with  rich  flowers,  and  noisy  with  the 
birds  that  thronged  the  tall  trees  ;  and  continued  to 
ride  forward  till  the  heat  of  the  noonday  sun  compelled 
them  to  rest  two  hours  most  reluctantly  in  a  shady 
grove.  Then,  once  more  mounting,  they  rode  forward 
to  enter  on  a  new  region.  Before  them  lay  spread 
large,  well-cultivated,  fenced  lands,  stocked  with  sheep 


EDWARD    DEVERELL.  449 

and  cattle,  and  dotted  here  and  there  with  the  snug 
neat  huts  of  the  shepherds  and  stock -keepers  ;  while 
the  lowing  and  bleating  of  the  animals,  and  the  distant 
barking  of  dogs,  and  sound  of  English  voices,  were 
music  to  the  charmed  ears  of  the  weary  travellers. 
"  His  name  be  praised ! "  said  Mr.  Mayburn,  reverently 
uncovering  his  head,  "  who  has  led  us  through  the  dry 
and  barren  wilderness  to  a  land  of  plenty  and  peace." 

The  whole  party  were  deeply  affected  at  the  first 
glimpse  of  home  scenery  and  home  sounds ;  but  Deverell 
looked  round  with  much  anxiety  till  he  caught  sight  of 
a  respectable-looking  man  riding  among  the  cattle  at  a 
distance,  whom  he  hailed,  and  the  man  rode  forward  in 
haste,  calling  out,  "  Welcome  home,  master." 

"  Thanks,  Harris ;  but  tell  me,  is  all  well  at  the 
Grange  ?  "  asked  Deverell. 

"  Charming,  sir,"  answered  he ;  "  saw  them  all  this 
morning.  Old  mistress  quite  brisk,  asking  after  the 
lambs ;  and  Miss,  throng  with  her  poultry,  and  telling 
me  to  look  after  some  grain  for  them.  And  here 
comes  Mr.  Edward,  sir,  to  answer  for  himself." 

"  Halloo  I  Charley,"  cried  Edward,  riding  up  to 
shake  hands  with  his  brother,  u  my  good  fellow,  what 
have  you  been  about,  and  what  in  the  world  has  in- 
duced you  to  bring  the  prisoners  with  you  ?  "  and  he 
looked  with  suspicion  and  annoyance  at  the  large  party 
of  dL-tressed  and  ragged  followers,  who  had  purposely 
turned  away  from  him.  At  last  Margaret  looked  round 
and  smiled,  and  the  delighted  young  fellow  laughed 
with  joy  at  seeing  his  old  friends,  and  with  amusement 
at  their  miserable  condition. 

"  My  dear  Margaret !  my  good  friends  !  "  he  ex- 
claimed, M  I  am  quite  wild  with  surprise  and  pleasure, 
38* 


450  THE    BAZAAR. 

Never  mind  your  ragged  furbelows;  -little  Emma  is 
a  capital  needlewoman,  and  will  sew  up  all  those  great 
rents." 

"  It  will  be  a  great  blessing  to  me,"  said  Margaret, 
laughing,  "  to  see  a  needle  again." 

"  A  needle,  Margaret ! "  exclaimed  Charles,  "  we 
have  millions  of  needles ;  Edward  has  a  storehouse 
crammed  with  every  thing  that  everybody  can  want, 
under  every  circumstance.  He  could  supply  a  large 
English  country  town  with  goods;  chests  of  needle.*, 
walls  built  up  of  paper,  acres  of  that  muslin  stuff  you 
wear,  so  suitable  to  the  thorny  bush.  Ask  for  what 
you  will,  you  can  have  it  at  Edward's  grand  bazaar." 

"  If  you  please,  Mr.  Charles,"  said  Jack,  "  do  you 
think  Mr.  Edward  has  any  tools  ?" 

"  You  have  only  to  speak,  Jack,"  answered  he  ;  "  we 
can  supply  you  with  the  appliances  of  the  arts,  from  a 
steam-engine  to  a  delicate  lancet.  I  am  a  clever  shop- 
man, and  shall  be  happy  to  do  the  honors  of  the 
bazaar." 

"Indeed,  Charles,  you  are  a  very  troublesome  and 
disorderly  shopman,"  said  his  brother,  "as  my  store- 
keeper declares,  creating  vast  confusion  among  his 
neatly-arranged  shelves.  Allowing  for  some  exaggerr- 
tion,  my  dear  friends,  Charles  has  told  you  the  fact.  I 
found  my  poor  people  had  to  pay  so  extravagantly  for 
the  little  luxuries  and  necessaries  of  life  they  required, 
either  from  the  extortions  of  itinerant  dealers,  who  are 
dangerous  visitors  to  admit  into  a  settlement,  or  from 
the  expense  of  journeys  to  Sydney  or  Melbourne  to 
make  their  purchases,  that  I  resolved  to  supply  them 
at  moderate  prices  myself,  which  I  am  enabled  to  do 
by  bringing  wagon-loads  of  goods  from  Sydney,  and 


THE    PARK.  451 

furnishing  a  large  storehouse  which  I  had  built  for  the 
purpose." 

"  But  are  you  not  afraid  of  the  bush-rangers  being 
attracted  by  your  valuable  storehouse  ? "  asked  Mr. 
Mayburn. 

"  I  have  a  clever-managing  store-keeper,  who,  with 
his  assistant,  sleeps  in  the  place,  where  they  have  arms, 
two  fierce  dogs,  and  an  alarm-bell  loud  enough  to  rouse 
the  whole  hamlet.  Besides,  our  bushrangers  prefer 
highway  robbery,  or  raids  on  the  cattle,  to  the  more 
dangerous  attempts  at  house-breaking.  You  need  fetir 
no  bushrangers,  my  dear  Mr.  Mayburn,  if  you  were 
once  within  the  walls  of  my  castle,  where  I  trust  to 
welcome  you  speedily.  Now  I  wish  you  to  look  at  the 
beautiful  variety  of  timber  trees  which  I  have  left 
standing  as  ornaments  to  my  spacious  park." 

It  was  amongst  these  varied  and  extraordinary  trees 
that  the  cavalcade  were  now  passing.  Several  varieties 
of  the  Eucalyptus  and  the  palm  tribe,  with  their  bare 
tall  trunks  and  crested  heads,  were  mingled  with  white 
or  golden-blossomed  acacias ;  the  Hibiscus,  peculiar  to 
Australia ;  the  drooping  grass-tree  ;  and  one  spreading 
fig-tree  stood  like  a  natural  temple,  with  its  pillar-like 
roots  entwined  with  elegant  creeping  plants,  with  a 
grace  beyond  the  reach  of  art.  Beneath  these  trees 
the  turf  was  resplendent  with  spring  flowers,  on  which 
were  quietly  grazing  flocks  of  white  sheep,  supplying 
the  place  of  the  aristocratic  deer.  As  they  issued  from 
the  woodland  upon  a  grassy  glade,  sloping  gently  to  the 
banks  of  the  river,  Charles  rode  forward  to  announce 
the  glad  tidings  at  Daisy  Grange,  which  was  now  in 
sight  on  a  pretty  eminence,  backed  by  higher  hills, 
which  stretched  beyond  into  gray  mountains.  As  the/ 


452  DAISY    GRANGE. 

rode  slowly  forward  on  their  worn-out  horses,  Mr.  May- 
burn  was  lost  in  admiration  of  the  curious  and  happily- 
blended  trees,  and  Edward  Deverell  said, — 

"  The  names  given  by  the  colonists  to  these  new  and 
remarkable  trees  are  puzzling  and  inapplicable.  This 
tree,  named  by  them  the  red  cedar,  is  certainly  not  a 
cedar ;  though  it  is  very  useful,  being  our  best  timber 
Iree,  the  wood  resembling  mahogany.  The  apple-tree 
bears  no  fruit,  and  has  no  claim  whatever  to  the  tanta- 
lizing name.  The  rose-wood,  so  called  from  its  delicate 
perfume,  is  a  kind  of  Meliacece,  the  fruit  of  which  is 
uneatable.  Then  we  have  the  cherry,  Exocarpus,  the 
fruit  of  which  is  useless,  and  peculiarly  unlike  the  dear 
old  cherry  of  England,  with  which,  however,  I  trust  to 
regale  you  in  a  few  months.  I  can  already  discover 
the  white  blossoms  of  the  tree  peeping  over  my  garden 
walls  ;  and  I  propose  that  we  give  these  tired  horses 
to  the  men,  and  walk  up  the  hill,  that  you  may  con- 
template leisurely  the  imposing  appearance  of  my  baro- 
nial hall." 

But  however  Edward  Deverell  might  depreciate  his 
mansion,  the  distressed  wanderers  regarded  its  appear- 
ance with  admiration  and  delight  as  they  passed  over 
the  sloping  lawn,  laid  out  with  excellent  taste  in  par- 
terres of  gay-colored  flowers  rising  from  the  green  turf, 
which  was  enamelled  with  the  daisies  of  England ;  and 
saw  the  pretty  house  which  offered  them  shelter  after 
fifteen  months  of  wandering. 

The  building,  though  entirely  of  wood,  was  pictu- 
resque and  spacious.  It  was  surrounded  by  a  large  gar- 
den, beyond  which  were  raised  the  large  storehou?e; 
stables,  and  farm-buildings.  Along  the  front  of  the 
house  was  a  broad  veranda,  supported  by  columns,  en- 


DAISY    GRANGE.  453 

twined  with  roses,  honeysuckles,  and  the  well-loved 
creeping  flowers  of  England,  now  bursting  into  blossom  ; 
while  the  large  portico  was  curtained  with  draperies  of 
the  rich  flowering  climbers  of  Australia  —  the  convol- 
vulus, the  curious  passion-flower,  and  other  graceful  un- 
known plants,  to  stimulate  the  curiosity  of  the  botanists. 
But  it  was  not  at  this  moment  that  all  the  beauties  of 
the  Grange  were  observed,  for  the  hospitable  doors  stood 
open,  and  the  agitated  party  were  hurried  into  the  cool 
and  spacious  hall,  where  Mrs.  Deverell  and  her  smiling 
daughter  waited  to  welcome  Edward  and  his  unexpected 
companions. 


CHAPTER    XXXIV. 

The  Comforts  of  Civilization.  —  Susan  Raine.  —  The  Hamlet  and  thq 
Church.  —  Plans  for  the  Future.  —  Mrs.  Edward  Deverell.  —  Thf 
Beauties  of  Daisy  Grange. 

THE  excitement  of  the  reception  was  great:  such 
screams  of  wonder  and  delight !  so  many  tears  at  the 
thoughts  of  the  trials  and  sufferings  of  the  wanderers  J 
and  so  much  laughter  at  their  tattered  condition  !  Then 
succeeded  such  haste  and  bustle  to  procure  immediate 
aid  to  restore  to  them  the  comforts  of  which  they  had 
been  so  long  deprived,  and  to  spread  the  hospitable 
board  with  the  refreshments  so  long  untasted. 

It  was  only  by  interjections  and  extorted  answers 
that  any  details  of  their  trials  were  known  at  first. 
It  was  necessary  that  they  should  be  restored  to  the 
likeness  of  civilized  beings ;  and  the  servants  vied  with 
their  master  and  mistress  in  providing  food  and  raiment 
for  the  needy. 

"  Tell  me,  dear  Emma,"  said  Margaret,  as  she  brushed 
her  dishevelled  hair  and  arrayed  herself  in  a  clean  mus- 
lin dress  belonging  to  her  friend,  —  "  tell  me  if  you  have 
still,  and  unmarried,  the  pretty  dairy-maid,  Susan  Raine, 
who  accompanied  you  from  England.  One  of  our  faith- 
ful attendants,  though  rude  and  unpolished,  will  be 
broken-hearted  if  he  does  not  find  his  Susan  here." 

"  But  surely,  Margaret,"  answered  Emma,  "  you  are 
not  speaking  of  the  graceless  convict,  Wilkins?  You 
alarm  me,  for  the  good  girl  has  told  me  her  whole  his- 

(454) 


THE    BANQUET.  455 

toiy ;  and,  though  she  is  unwilling  to  allow  it,  there  is 
no  doubt  the  man  behaved  basely  in  inducing  her  to 
come  over  from  England  to  join  him,  only  to  find  the 
worthless  fellow  had  absconded." 

"But  let  me  explain  his  conduct  to  you,  Emma,"  said 
Margaret ;  "  let  me  tell  you  his  story  of  sins  and  repent- 
ance and  then  I  hope  you  will  consent  to  be  his  media- 
tor and  friend." 

Then,  before  they  descended  to  join  the  rest,  Marga- 
ret told  her  friend  all  the  circumstances  of  Wilkins's 
temptation,  fall,  and  happy  reformation  after  having 
been  thrown  amongst  them ;  and  this  was  the  first  part 
of  the  adventures  of  the  travellers  that  was  related  at 
Daisy  Grange.  And  when  the  girls  told  Mrs.  Deverell 
this  tale  of  trials,  she  promised  that  Susan,  who  was  now 
engaged  in  the  dairy,  should  have  the  unexpected  event 
properly  revealed  to  her  before  she  was  introduced  to 
her  much-lamented  friend. 

The  travellers  scarcely  recognized  each  other  in  their 
amended  appearance,  for  which  they  had  been  indebted 
to  the  wardrobes  of  their  friends ;  and  they  now  pro- 
ceeded to  Ihe  large  dining-room,  where  the  table  was 
spread  with  the  plenty  of  an  English  home.  Beef  and 
mutton  from  the  fields  ;  fowls  from  the  poultry-yard ; 
pastry  made  by  Emma ;  fruit  and  vegetables  from  the 
garden,  and  cream  from  the  dairy.  To  these  homely 
luxuries  was  added  home-brewed  ale  from  the  barley 
grown  on  the  settlement,  which  Edward  Deverell  said 
must  satisfy  his  guests  for  some  time,  till  his  vines  pro- 
duced him  grapes  fit  to  make  wine. 

In  the  mean  time  Jenny  and  Ruth,  with  Baldabella 
and  her  child,  had  been  properly  cared  for  by  the  maid- 
servants of  the  establishment,  who  were  in  exuberant 


456  DEVERELL. 

spirits  at  the  novelty  of  visitors,  and  especially  such 
wonderful  and  amusing  visitors,  who  could  tell  them 
such  strange  tales  of  their  travels  ;  and  even  Balda- 
bella  in  time  got  over  her  shyness,  under  the  pressing 
hospitality  of  the  reception ;  and  little  Nakinna  was 
in  ecstasies  at  the  novelties  she  beheld  and  the  dainties 
which  she  now  first  tasted.  Wilkins  moped  in  a  corner 
in  deep  distress  till  his  friend  Hugh  came  to  him,  who 
insisted  on  his  shaving  and  dressing  himself  neatly,  and 
who  then  accompanied  him  to  the  dairy,  where  Susan, 
already  acquainted  with  his  story  by  Emma,  was  sitting 
weeping,  but  quite  ready  to  receive  and  pardon  the 
repentant  man;  and  the  mirth  and  festivity  of  the 
servants*  hall  were  complete  when  the  reunited  pair 
joined  the  party. 

It  was  late  before  the  wanderers  had  recounted  their 
adventures ;  and  they  all  fully  enjoyed  the  luxury  of 
beds,  after  being  so  long  accustomed  to  the  open  air, 
though  the  boys  declared  sleeping  in  an  enclosed  room 
was  rather  confining.  Next  morning,  after  a  breakfast 
of  coffee  and  cream,  with  all  the  other  good  filings  of 
the  farm,  they  set  out  to  see  the  hamlet,  which  was  to 
become  in  time  the  town  of  Deverell.  This  hamlet 
stood  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  Grange,  and 
consisted  of  a  long  row  of  wooden  huts,  thatched  with 
bark,  and  painted  green  ;  each  stood  apart  in  a  pretty 
garden,  and  each  had  behind  it  about  an  acre  of  land 
fenced  round,  where  a  cow,  and  sometimes  a  sheep  or 
two,  were  grazing ;  every  thing  looked  clean,  orderly, 
and  prosperous. 

From  the  cottages  to  the  river  it  was  not  more  than 
three  or  four  hundred  yards,  and  before  them  was  a 
green,  in  the  midst  of  which  was  an  enclosure  that  con- 


THE    PARSONAGE    HOUSE.  457 

tained  a  neat  stone-built  church,  with  its  low  tower  and 
bell  to  summon  the  congregation  to  church. 

Mr.  Mayburn  was  moved  even  to  tears  at  the  sight 
of  this  temple  of  God  in  the  remote  wilds  ;  he  seized 
the  hand  of  Deverell,  and  said,  "  May  Heaven  bless  you, 
my  son  !  tell  me  whom  you  expect  to  fulfil  the  duties 
of  this  holy  place." 

"  We  have  but  just  completed  the  most  difficult  and 
important  work  we  have  yet  undertaken,"  answered 
Deverell.  "  The  stone  has  been  brought  from  our 
own  quarry ;  but  the  labor  of  cutting  and  building 
was  great  and  tedious.  Our  people  are,  however, 
pious  and  industrious,  and  they  gladly  worked  extra 
hours  to  raise  the  place  of  worship  they  pined  for.  I 
have  ever  proposed  to  wait  for  you  to  be  our  priest,  my 
good  father ;  and  month  after  month  I  have  expected 
letters  from  you.  For  some  of  the  graceless  crew  of  the 
Golden  fairy,  who  escaped  in  the  boats,  reached 
Adelaide  ;  and  when  they  reported  the  vessel  to  be 
destroyed  by  fire,  they  asserted  that  you  and  your 
family  had  been  taken  up  by  an  Indiaman.  My  plan 
was,  as  soon  as  I  had  heard  from  you  where  you  were 
settled,  to  write  to  beseech  you  to  join  me.  It  is  only 
during  the  last  month  that,  afflicted  and  disappointed 
by  your  long  silence,  I  have  reluctantly  turned  my 
thoughts  to  the  necessity  of  searching  for  another 
minister ;  and  I  was  on  the  eve  of  setting  out  on  a  long 
journey  to  consult  our  worthy  bishop,  when  the  raid 
of  the  bush-rangers  called  me  away  to  recover  my 
property.  Now  Heaven  has  sent  you  to  us,  may  I 
not,  then,  venture  to  hope  that  you  are  ours  for  life  ?  " 

"  For  life,  Edward  Deverell,"  answered  Mr.  May- 
burn.  "  I  am  content  and  happy  to  remain  with  you ; 
39 


458  THE    SCHOOLS. 

and  I  feel  sure  my  children  are  determined  to  do  the 
same.  Teach  them  to  be  useful  and  happy  as  you  are ; 
and  allow  us  to  form  part  of  your  new  colony." 

"  Huzza ! "  cried  Hugh ;  "  but  you  must  grant  us 
allotments  to  build  cottages  on,  Governor  Deverell." 

"  You  shall  hear  all  my  plans,"  answered  Deverell. 
"In  the  first  place,  you  must  all  be  our  guests  till 
dwellings  are  provided ;  the  Grange  is  large  enough  for 
a  city  hotel.  We  will  begin  by  building  a  handsome 
manse  for  our  worthy  pastor,  with  a  large  and  conven- 
ient museum,  which  everybody  must  try  to  furnish  with 
wonderful  birds  and  eggs,  and  all  the  natural  curiosities 
of  Australia.  I  can  spare  volumes  of  my  own  to  fit  up 
the  library,  till  we  can  procure  all  that  are  needed  from 
Sydney." 

"  Delightful ! "  said  Margaret.  "  I  long  to  see  you 
begin." 

"  Then  we  must  have  a  house  and  workshop  for  our 
friend  Jack,"  continued  Deverell ;  "  and  constitute  him 
head  carpenter  of  Deverell.  On  your  recommendation, 
I  will  venture  to  employ  Wilkins  as  a  stock-keeper ;  he 
shall  be  placed  at  the  dairy-house,  which  the  prudent 
Susan  shall  manage  ;  and  they  shall  have  a  good  allot- 
ment, with  cows  and  pigs  of  their  own,  to  encourage 
them  to  prudence  and  industry.  As  for  your  female 
followers,  Nurse  Wilson,  Ruth,  and  the  native  woman 
and  child,  they  must  remain  with  us,  at  least  till  the 
parsonage-house  is  completed,  and  Mr.  Mayburn  wishes 
to  found  his  household." 

"  I  propose,  Edward,"  said  Margaret,  "  that,  if  you 
do  not  object,  I  should  teach  some  of  the  little  girls  of 
the  hamlet  —  I  see  you  have  a  number  who  are  peep- 
ing at  us  from  the  cottages ;  then  Nakinna  will  learn 


MARGARET    AT    HOME.  459 

with  them,  and  soon  be  a  little  English  girl  in  all  but 
complexion." 

"  That  is  just  what  I  expected  from  you,  Margaret," 
answered  Deverell ;  "  and  Emma  will  be  delighted  to 
have  such  an  associate.  On  this  pretty  spot,  my 
brother  Charles  proposes  to  build  a  good  house  for 
himself,  that  he  may  be  near  his  patients,  who,  I  am 
happy  to  say,  are  few.  He  intends,  when  his  house  is 
ready,  to  go  down  to  Sydney,  and  bring  thence  a  wife 
to  preside  over  it.  He  has  fixed  on  a  very  charming 
young  orphan  girl,  who,  with  her  two  young  sisters 
that  will  accompany  her,  will  form  a  most  agreeable 
addition  to  our  society." 

"  That  is  quite  right,"  said  Mr.  Mayburn.  "  I  rejoice 
to  hear  of  his  intention.  And  you,  my  dear  Edward  — 
would  it  not  be  also  desirable  that  you  should  bring 
some  lady  suitable  to  you  to  this  pleasant  abode  ?  If 
you  have  really  resolved  to  pass  your  days  here,  it  is 
your  duty  to  marry." 

"  Do  you  think  so,  my  very  dear  friend  ?  "  answered 
Deverell.  "  Then  I  leave  the  affair  in  your  hands  ; 
you  must  kindly  select  a  bride  for  me." 

"  I,  my  dear  Edward ! "  exclaimed  Mr.  Mayburn.  "  I 
that  have  ever  lived  so  much  out  of  the  world,  and  that 
am  now  a  perfect  solitary.  I  am  actually  acquainted 
with  no  young  ladies  in  the  world  but  your  sister  and 
my  own  child." 

"Perhaps,  papa,"  said  Gerald  archly,  "Edward 
would  be  satisfied  to  take  Margaret." 

"  How  exceedingly  absurd  you  can  be,  my  dear  boy," 
said  Mr.  Mayburn  ;  then,  after  a  few  minutes'  consid- 
eration, he  added :  "  The  thought  never  occurred  to  me 


4GO  THE    VINEYARDS. 

before  ;  it  is  not  an  absurd  idea.  I  really  do  not  see 
why  such  a  pleasant  arrangement  might  not  be." 

Margaret  fled  from  the  delicate  discussion,  and  Ed- 
ward Deverell  then  assured  Mr.  Mayburn,  that  not  only 
he  should  be  satisfied  to  take  Margaret,  but  that  he  had 
never  thought  of  any  other  person  ;  as  everybody  but 
Mr.  Mayburn  understood  long  ago. 

Then  Margaret  had  to  be  asked  if  she  would  consent 
to  be  the  mistress  of  that  comfortable  and  happy  house- 
hold, to  which  she  agreed,  providing  Mrs.  Deverell  and 
Emma  would  still  continue  to  share  the  pleasures  and 
duties  of  her  home.  And  Edward  told  her  all  his  plans 
for  extending  the  population  of  his  colony,  and  regulat- 
ing it  according  to  the  laws  of  England  and  the  com- 
mands of  God.  The  great  hall  was,  when  needed,  a 
hall  of  justice,  and  his  people  knew  they  were  amenable 
to  the  law  as  much  as  if  they  lived  in  England. 

"  You  should  see  how  grave  I  look  when  I  am  seated 
on  my  throne  of  office,  Margaret,"  said  Deverell  :  "  I 
must  have  Mr.  Mayburn  and  Arthur  on  the  bench  in 
future,  to  give  more  dignity  to  my  court.  And  now  I 
must  show  you  a  domain  which  will  be  especially  your 
own  —  my  gardens,  orchards  and  vineyards." 

No  labor  or  expense  had  been  spared  to  enrich  the 
gardens  with  all  the  fairest  products  of  Australia  and 
England.  Conservatories  and  hot-houses  were  not 
needed  in  this  charming  climate,  where  the  most  deli- 
cate flowers  and  choicest  fruits  reached  perfection  in  the 
open  air.  The  rich  blossoms  of  the  apple,  peach,  apri- 
cot, and  nectarine  were  now  glowing  on  every  side,  and 
the  trees,  though  so  young,  gave  promise  of  abundant 
fruit ;  and  the  fragrance  of  the  strawberry  beds  pro- 


JACK    AT    WORK.  461 

claimed  the  fruit  to  be  ripe.  Margaret  was  delighted 
with  all  she  saw,  and  astonished  at  the  thought  of  the 
labor  and  perseverance  that  must  have  been  used. 

A  long  avenue  was  shaded  with  the  broad  and  luxu- 
riant leaves  of  the  vine,  on  which  small  bunches  of 
grapes  were  already  formed,  a  young  crop,  but  giving 
promise  of  the  rich  vintage  future  years  would  bring. 

"  When  my  vines  have  reached  maturity,"  said  Dev- 
erell,  "  I  shall  require  all  the  heads  and  the  hands  I  can 
command,  in  order  to  make  good  wine  from  my  own 
vineyard,  of  which,  if  God  spare  me,  I  have  no  fear. 
And  I  hope,  Margaret,  you  are  pleased  with  the  deli- 
cate and  fragrant  blossoms  of  my  orange-trees.  They 
are  yet  but  low  shrubs  ;  but  I  trust  we  shall  live  to  see 
them  tali  and  productive  trees." 

But  it  required  many  pleasant  days,  and  many  ram- 
bles about  the  domain,  to  see  all  that  had  been  done, 
and  all  that  it  was  proposed  to  do.  Mr.  Mayburn's  new 
dwelling  was  planned  and  immediately  commenced, 
orchards  and  gardens  were  marked  out,  and  a  list  of 
fruit-trees  and  seeds  made  out.  Jack  was  in  his  ele- 
ment, superintending  the  cutting  down  of  timber  trees, 
and  then  manufacturing  them  into  tables  and  chairs, 
and  other  useful  furniture,  to  his  heart's  content. 

"  It 's  a  great  comfort,  Mr.  Arthur,"  said  he,  as  his 
three  young  friends  stood  near  him  in  his  new  work- 
shop. "  It 's  a  great  comfort  to  have  a  good  chest  of 
tools  again,  and  that  thief,  Peter,  no  longer  here  to 
make  off  with  them ;  and  to  be  working  at  good  jobs 
that  we  shall  not  have  to  run  away  and  leave  behind  us, 
as  we  had  to  do  when  those  ugly  black  fellows  were 
always  hanging  at  our  heels." 

"  But,  Jack."  answered  Hugh,  "  do  you  know  that 
39* 


462  THE    KANGAROO    HUNTERS. 

Mr.  Deverell  has  a  number  of  those  black  fellows  em- 
ployed on  his  estate,  who  not  only  wear  clothes  and  live 
in  huts,  but  speak  English,  behave  quietly  and  honestly, 
and  attend  prayers  regularly  with  the  other  work- 
people. Baldabella  is  very  glad  to  meet  with  the  native 
women,  who  are  notjins  here,  but  wives ;  she  certainly 
holds  herself  a  little  above  them,  but  she  condescends  to 
teach  them  decorum  and  the  manners  of  society.  We 
are  all  to  be  employed  in  the  schools  immediately,  and 
then  you  will  see  what  wonders  papa  and  Arthur  and 
Margaret  will  effect  among  these  poor  natives." 

"  Well,  Master  Hugh,"  answered  Jack,  with  a  certain 
air  of  incredulity,  "  I  hope,  by  God's  help,  it  may  turn 
out  as  you  say  ;  but  you  '11  not  get  Wilkins  to  believe 
such  a  thing.  He  hates  blacks  like  toads,  and  always 
did.  There 's  Susan,  however,  she  is  a  quiet,  good 
lass ;  but  she  has  a  good  spirit,  and  maybe  she  may  win 
her  good  man  to  think  better  of  them.  But,  Mr.  Ar- 
thur, now  you  are  at  your  proper  work  among  books, 
and  Master  Hugh  and  Master  Gerald,  they  '11  be  riding 
about  on  the  land,  I  shall  not  see  much  of  you ;  there 's 
no  need  for  any  of  you  to  take  up  a  hammer  now." 

"Your  workshop  will  always  be  a  favorite  resort, 
depend  on  it,  Jack,"  said  Arthur ;  "  but  I  am  going  to 
read  hard  for  the  next  year,  to  make  up  for  lost  time. 
Then  papa  intends  me  to  go  to  England,  to  be  entered 
at  one  of  the  universities." 

"  And  to  return  to  us  the  Reverend  Arthur  May- 
burn,"  said  Gerald,  "ready  to  help  papa,  and,  I  should 
say,  to  marry  little  Emma." 

"  But  I  shall  always  come  and  help  you,  Jack,  when 
I  have  time,"  said  Hugh ;  "  we  should  all  be  mechanics 
here,  in  case  of  vicissitudes.  My  particular  pursuit 


THE  KANGAROO  HUNTERS.          463 

will  be  to  study  medicine  with  Charles  Deverell,  to  be 
fitted  for  the  second  doctor  when  our  colony  shall  be  so 
much  increased  that  two  are  required.  Gerald  is  to  be 
farmer,  and  hunter,  and  game-keeper,  and  ornithological 
assistant  to  papa;  and  then,  I  think,  Jack,  we  shall 
form  such  a  pleasant,  cosy  family  circle,  that  we  shall 
none  of  us  feel  any  inclination  *  to  take  to  the  bush.' " 

"  Farewell  to  the  cowardly  bushrangers,"  sakl  Gerald. 
"  They  never  dare  face  such  a  band  of  heroes.  I  shall 
be  head  ranger  myself;  and  on  grand  occasions  I  shall 
call  you  all  around  me  for  a  field-day,  to  beat  the 
bushes,  and  keep  up  our  character  of  successful  KANGA° 
BOO  HUNTERS." 


END. 


STANDARD  AND  POPULAR  BOOKS 

PUBLISHED  BY 

PORTER  &  tarn,  PHILADELPHIA,  PA 


WAVEELEY  NOVELS.    By  SIR  WALTER  SCOTT. 


*Waverley. 

*Guy  Mannering. 

The  Antiquary. 

Rob  Boy. 

Black  Dwarf;  and  Old  Mortality. 

The  Heart  of  Mid- Lothian. 

The  Brid«  of  Lamraermoor;   and  A 

Legend  of  Montrose. 
*Ivanhoe. 
The  Monastery. 
The  AbbotL 
Keuilwortlu 


The  Fortunes  of  NigeL 

Peveril  of  the  Peak. 

Quentiu  Durward. 

.St.  Rouan's  Well. 

Redgauntlet 

The  Betrothed;  and  The  Talisman. 

Woodstock. 

The  Fair  Maid  of  Perth. 

Anne  of  Geierstein. 

Count  Robert  of  Paris;  and  Castle 

Dangerous. 
Chronicles  of  the  Canongate. 


The  Pirate. 

Household  Edition,  23  vols.  Illustrated.  12mo.  Cloth,  extra, 
black  and  gold,  per  vol.,  $1.00;  sheep,  marbled  edges,  per  vol., 
$1.50;  half  calf,  gilt,  marbled  edges,  per  vol.,  $3.00.  Sold  sepa- 
rately in  cloth  binding  only. 

Universe  Edition.  25  vols.  Printed  on  thin  paper,  and  con- 
taining one  illustration  to  the  volume.  12ino.  Cloth,  extra,  black 
and  gold,  per  vol.,  75  cts. 

World  Edition.  12  vols.  Thick  12mo.  (Sold  in  sets  only.) 
Cloth,  extra,  black  and  gold,  $18.00 ;  half  imt.  Eussia,  marbled 
edges,  $24.00. 

This  is  the  best  edition  for  the  library  or  for  general  use  published.  Its 
convenient  size,  the  extreme  legibility  of  the  type,  which  is  larger  than 
is  used  iu  any  other  12mo  edition,  either  English  or  American. 

TALES  OF  A  GEANDFATHEE.  By  SIR  WALTER  SCOTT,  Bart, 
4  vols.  Uniform  with  the  Waverley  Novels. 

Household  Edition.  Illustrated.  12mo.  Cloth,  extra,  black 
and  gold,  per  vol ,  $1.00;  sheep,  marbled  edges,  per  vol.,  $1.50; 
half  calf,  gilt,  marbled  edges,  per  vol.,  $3.00. 

This  edition  contains  the  Fourth  Series— Tales  from  French  history— and 
Is  the  only  complete  edition  published  in  this  country. 

-ft) 


PORTER  &  COATES*  PUBLICATION'S. 


CHARLES  DICKENS'  COMPLETE  WOEKS.  Author's  Edition. 
14  vols.,  with  a  portrait  of  the  author  on  steel,  and  eight 
illustrations  by  F.  O.  C.  Darley,  Cruikshank,  Fildes,  Eytinge, 
and  others,  in  each  volume.  12mo.  Cloth,  extra,  black  and 
gold,  per  vol.,  $1.00;  sheep,  marbled  edges,  per  vol.,  $1.50 ;  half 
imt.  Eussia,  marbled  edges,  per  vol.,  $1.50:  half  calf,  gilt, 
marbled  edges,  per  vol.,  $2.75. 


Christmas  Books,  Uncommercial 
Traveller,  aud  Additional 
Christmas  Stories. 

Bleak  House. 

Little  Dorrit. 

Tale  of  Two  Cities,  and  Great  Ex- 
pectations. 

Our  Mutual  Friend. 

Edwin  Drood,  Sketches,  Master 
Humphrey's  Clock,  etc.,  etc. 


•Pickwick  Papers. 

•Oliver  Twist,  Pictures  of  Italy,  and 

American  Notes. 
•Nicholas  Nickleby. 
Old  Curiosity  Shop,  and  Reprinted 

Pieces. 

Barnaby  Rudge,  and  Hard  Times. 
*Martin  Chuzzlewit 
Bombay  and  Son. 
•David  Copperfield. 

Sold  separately  in  cloth  binding  only. 
*Also  in  Alta  Edition,  one  illustration,  75  cents. 
The  same.    Universe  Edition.     Printed  on  thin  paper  and  con- 
taining one  illustration  to  the  volume.    14  vols,,  12mo.    Cloth, 
extra,  black  and  gold,  per  vol.,  75  cents. 

The  same.  World  Edition.  7  vols.,  thick  12mo.,  $12.25.  (Sold 
in  sets  only.) 

CHILD'S  HISTOEY  OF  ENGLAND.     By  CHARLES  DICKENS. 
Popular  12mo.  edition;  from  new  electrotype  plates.     Large 
clear  type.     Beautifully  illustrated  with  8  engravings  on  wood. 
12mo.    Cloth,  extra,  black  and  gold,  $1.00. 
Alta  Edition.     One  illustration,  75  cents. 

"Dickens  as  a  novelist  and  prose  poet  is  to  be  classed  in  the  front  rank  of 
the  noble  company  to  which  he  belongs.  He  has  revived  the  novel  of  genu- 
ine practical  life,  as  it  existed  in  the  vrorks  of  Fielding,  Smollett,  and  Gold- 
smith; but  at  the  same  time  has  given  to  his  material  an  iudividual  coloring 
and  expression  peculiarly  his  own.  His  characters,  like  those  of  his  great 
exemplars,  constitute  a  world  of  their  own,  whose  truth  to  nature  every 
reader  instinctively  recognizes  in  connection  with  their  truth  to  darkness." 
— E.  P.  Whipple* 

MACAULAY'S  HISTOEY  OF  ENGLAND.    From  the  accession 
of  James  II.     By  THOMAS  BABINGTON  MACAULAY.    With  a 
steel  portrait  of  the  author.     Printed  from  new  electrotype 
plates  from  the  last  English  Edition.     Being  by  far  the  most 
correct  edition  in  the  American  market.    5  volumes,  12mo. 
Cloth,  extra,  black  and  gold,  per  set,  $5.00;  sheep,  marbled 
edges,  per  set,  $7.50;  half  imitation  Eussia,  $7.50;  half  calf, 
gilt,  marbled  edges,  per  set,  $15.00. 
Popular  Edition.    5  vols.,  cloth,  plain,  $5.00. 
8vo.  Edition.     5  volumes  in  one,  with  portrait.     Cloth,  extra, 
Vack  and  gold,  $3.00;  sheep,  marbled  edges,  $3.50. 
MAETINEAU'S  HISTOEY  OF  ENGLAND.    From  the  beginning 
of  the  19th  Century  to  the  Crimean  War.     By  HARRIET  MAR- 
TINEAU.    Complete  in  4  vols.,  with  full  Index.    Cloth,  extra, 
black  and  gold,  per  set,  $4.00 ;  sheep,  marbled  edges,  $6.00 ;  half 
calf,  gilt,  marbled  edges.  $12.00. 


PORTER  A  COATES*   PUBLICATIONS. 


HUME'S  HISTORY  OF  ENGLAND.  From  the  invasion  of 
Julius  Csesar  to  the  abdication  of  James  II,  1688.  By  DAVID 
HUME.  Standard  Edition.  With  the  author's  last  corrections 
and  improvements ;  to  which  is  prefixed  a  short  account  of 
his  life,  written  by  himself.  With  a  portrait  on  steel.  A  new 
edition  from  entirely  new  stereotype  plates.  5  vols.,  12mo. 
Cloth,  extra,  black  and  gold,  per  set,  $5.00;  sheep,  marbled 
edges,  per  set,  $7.50;  half  imitation  Kussia,  $7.50 ;  half  calf, 
gilt,  marbled  edges,  per  set,  $15.00. 
Popular  Edition.  5  vols.  Cloth,  plain,  $5.00. 

GIBBON'S  DECLINE  AND  FALL  OF  THE  ROMAN  EMPIRE. 
By  EDWARD  GIBBON.  With  Notes,  by  Rev.  H.  H.  MILMAN. 
Standard  Edition.  To  which  is  added  a  complete  Index  of 
the  work.  A  new  edition  from  entirely  new  stereotype  plates. 
With  portrait  on  steel.  5  vols.,  12mo.  Cloth,  extra,  black  and 
gold,  per  set,  $5.00;  sheep,  marbled  edges,  per  set,  $7.50;  half 
imitation  Russia,  $7.50;  half  calf,  gilt;  marbled  edges,  per  set, 
$15.00. 
Popular  Edition.  5  vols.  Cloth,  plain,  $5.00. 

ENGLAND,  PICTURESQUE   AND   DESCRIPTIVE.     By  JOEL 
COOK,  author  of  "  A  Holiday  Tour  in  Europe,"  etc.     With  487 
finely  engraved  illustrations,  descriptive  of  the  most  famous 
and  attractive  places,  as  well  as  of  the  historic  scenes  and 
rural  life  of  England  and  Wales.     With  Mr.  Cook's  admirable 
descriptions  of  the  places  and  the  country,  and  the  splendid  il- 
lustrations, this  is  the  most  valuable  and  attractive  book  of  the 
season,  and  the  sale  will  doubtless  be  very  large.     4to.    Cloth, 
extra,  gilt  side  and  edges,  $7.50;  half  calf,  gilt,  marbled  edges, 
$10.00 ;  half  morocco,  full  gilt  edges,  $10.00 ;  full  Turkey  mo- 
rocco, gilt  edges,  $15.00;  tree  calf,  gilt  edges,  $18.00. 
This  work,  which  is  prepared  in  elegant  style,  and  profusely  illustrated, 
is  a  comprehensive  description  of  England  and  Wales,  arranged  in  conve- 
nient form  for  the  tourist,  and  at  the  same  time  providing  an  illustrated 
guide-book  to  a  country  which  Americans  always  view  with  interest.  There 
are  few  satisfactory  works  about  this  land  which  is  so  generously  gifted  by 
Nature  and  so  full  of  memorials  of  the  past.    Such  books  as  there  are,  either 
cover  a  few  counties  or  are  devoted  to  special  localities,  or  are  merely  guide- 
books. The  present  work  is  believed  to  be  the  first  attempt  to  give  in  attrac- 
tive form  a  description  of  the  stately  homes,  renowned  castle*,  ivy-clad  ruins 
of  abbeys,  churches,  and  ancient  fortresses,  delioious  scenery,  rock-bound 
coasts,  and  celebrate!  places  of  England  and  Wales.    It  is  written  by  an 
author  fully  competent  from  travel  and  reading,  and  in  position  to  properly 
describe  his  very  interesting  subject;  and  the  artist's  pencil  has  been  called 
into  requisition  to  graphically  illustrate  its  well-written  pages.    There  are 
487  illustrations,  prepared  in  the  highest  style  of  the  engraver's  art,  while 
the  book  itself  is  one  of  the  most  attractive  ever  presented  to  the  American 
public. 

Its  method  of  construction  is  systematic,  following  the  most  convenient 
routes  taken  by  tourists,  and  the  letter-press  includes  enough  of  the  history 
and  legend  of  each  of  the  placps  described  to  make  the  story  highly  inter- 
esting. Its  pages  fairly  overflow  with  picture  and  description,  telling  of 
everything  attractive  that  is  presented  by  England  and  Wales.  Executed 
In  the  highest  style  of  the  printer's  and  engraver's  art,  "  England,  Pictur- 
esque and  Descriptive,"  is  one  of  the  best  American  books  of  the  year. 


PORTER  &  COATES'    PUBLICATIONS. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR  IN  AMERICA.  By  the  COMTB 
DE  PAKIS.  With  Maps  faithfully  Engraved  from  the  Origin- 
als, and  Printed  in  Three  Colors.  8vo.  Cloth,  per  volume, 
$3.50;  red  cloth,  extra,  Roxburgh  style,  uncut  edges,  $3.50; 
sheep,  library  style,  $4.50 ;  half  Turkey  morocco,  $6.00.  Voli 
I,  II,  and  III  now  ready. 

The  third  volume  embraces,  without  abridgment,  the  fifth  and  sixth 
rolumes  of  the  French  edition,  and  covers  one  of  the  most  interesting  as 
well  as  the  most  anxious  periods  of  the  war,  describing  the  operations  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  in  the  East,  and  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  and 
Tennessee  in  the  West. 

It  contains  full  accounts  of  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  the  attack  of  the 
monitors  on  Fort  Sumter,  the  sieges  and  fall  of  Vicksburg  and  Port  Hudson ; 
the  battles  of  Port  Gibson  and  Champion's  Hill,  and  the  fullest  and  most 
authentic  account  of  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  ever  written. 

"The  head  of  the  Orleans  family  has  put  pen  to  paper  with  excellent 

result Our  present  impression  is  that  it  will  form  by  far  the  best 

history  of  the  American  vra.T."—At?ienceum,  London. 

"We  advise  all  Americans  to  read  it  carefully,  and  judge  for  themselves 
if  'the  future  historian  of  our  war,'  of  whom  we  have  heard  so  much,  be  not 
already  arrived  in  the  Comte  de  Paris."— Nation,  New  York. 

"This  is  incomparably  the  best  account  of  our  great  second  revolution 
that  has  yet  been  even  attempted.  It  is  so  calm,  so  dispassionate,  so  accurate 
in  detail,  and  at  the  same  time  so  philosophical  in  general,  that  its  readei 
counts  confidently  on  finding  the  complete  work  thoroughly  satisfactory." — 
Evening  Bulletin,  Philadelphia. 

"The  work  expresses  the  calm,  deliberate  judgment  of  an  experienced 
military  observer  and  a  highly  intelligent  man.  Many  of  its  statements 
will  excite  discussion,  >>ut  we  much  mistake  if  it  does  not  take  high  and 
permanent  rant  among  the  standard  histories  of  the  civil  war.  Indeed 
that  place  has  been  assigned  it  by  the  most  competent  critics  both  of  this 
country  and  abroad." — Times,  Cincinnati. 

"Messrs.  Porter  &  Coates,  of  Philadelphia,  will  publish  in  a  few  days  the 
authorized  translation  of  the  new  volume  of  the  Comte  de  Paris'  History  of 
Our  Civil  War.  The  two  volumes  in  French — the  fifth  and  sixth — are  bound 
together  in  the  translation  In  one  volume.  Our  readers  already  know, 
through  a  table  of  contents  of  these  volumes,  published  in  the  cable  columns 
of  the  Herald,  the  period  covered  by  this  new  installment  of  a  work  remark- 
able in  several  ways.  It  includes  the  most  important  and  decisive  period  of 
the  war,  and  the  two  great  campaigns  of  Gettysburg  and  Vicksburg. 

"The  great  civil  war  has  had  no  better,  no  abler  historian  than  the  French 
prince  who,  emulating  the  example  of  Lafayette,  took  part  in  this  new 
struggle  for  freedom,  and  who  now  writes  of  events,  in  many  of  which  he 
participated,  as  an  accomplished  officer,  and  one  who,  by  his  independent 
position,  his  high  character  and  eminent  talents,  was  placed  in  circum- 
stances and  relations  which  gave  him  almost  unequalled  opportunities  to 
gain  correct  information  and  form  impartial  judgments. 

"The  new  installment  of  a  work  which  has  already  become  a  classic  will 
be  read  with  increased  interest  by  Americans  because  of  the  importance  of 
the  period  it  covers  and  the  stirring  events  it  describes.  In  advance  of  a 
careful  review  we  present  to-day  some  extracts  from  the  advance  sheets  sent 
us  by  Messrs.  Porter  &  Coates,  which  will  give  our  readers  a  foretaste  of 
chapters  which  bring  back  to  memory  so  many  half-forgotten  and  not  a  few 
hitherto  unvalued  details  of  a  time  which  Americans  of  this  generation  at 
least  cannot  read  of  without  a  fresh  thrill  of  excitement." 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 
LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


v 


LD  21A-50m-9,'58 
(6889slO)476B 


General  Library 

University  of  California 

Berkeley 


M31E310 


